School job scam: Partha Chatterjee, Arpita Mukherjee ED custody extended – Times of India

KOLKATA: Former minister Partha Chatterjee’s bail plea was rejected on Wednesday by a special PMLA court, which sent him to two more days of Enforcement Directorate custody. His “close associate”, Arpita Mukherjee, didn’t plead for bail and was also remanded in ED custody till August 5.

The central agency told the court that while Chatterjee was “non-cooperative”, Mukherjee was “comparatively more cooperative though not fully”.
The ED for the first time placed before the court materials that showed the duo’s financial links. It told the court that Mukherjee during questioning had provided them the bank account details of M/S APA Utility Services in which the two had a 50-50 partnership and the deed for which was executed in 2012. This firm was used to buy multiple properties, some even in cash, the agency said. The ED also told the court that Mukherjee had 31 LIC policies and in all of these Chatterjee was mentioned as the nominee.
Seeking further custody of the duo – four days for Chatterjee and three days for Mukherjee – the ED told the court they were unearthing something new “every second day”.
9 properties found, Rs 49.8 crore in cash seized, ED tells court
The ED on Wednesday told a special PMLA court that till now, searches following the arrest of former minister Partha Chatterjee and his “close aide” Arpita Mukherjee had revealed nine properties, including four bought by Apa Utility Services, apart from Rs 49.8 crore in cash and jewellery worth Rs 4.3 crore seized during raids.
“We will not merely confront Chatterjee but finding the money trail is important in the case,” additional solicitor general S V Raju said.
Chatterjee’s lawyer Krishna Chandra Das argued that the ED had Chatterjee in its custody for 10 days during which he was interrogated. “No new recovery was made from his possession, and he is in no position now to influence the investigation. The case is based on surmise and presumption. The remand note says that he is not cooperative, but that is not true. Moreover, he is not in the chair anymore. He is like a common man now,” he pleaded, seeking bail.
Mukherjee’s lawyer Niladri Bhattachary alleged they were not being allowed to talk to their client but ED counsel Bhaskar Prasad Banerjee claimed one of Mukherjee’s lawyers had been allowed legal consultation with his client.
Earlier, ED officials brought Chatterjee and Mukherjee to the City Sessions Court at 2.50 pm after a medical test at ESI Joka. Police had thrown a security ring around the court premises to keep curious onlookers and protesters at bay. Neither Chatterjee nor Mukherjee said anything to waiting newspersons on Wednesday.
(With inputs from Zeeshan Jawed in Kolkata)