After questioning Abhishek Banerjee, ED to file final charge sheet

ED will soon file its final prosecution complaint in the West Bengal teachers' recruitment case after questioning Trinamool MP Abhishek Banerjee, people in the know told ET.

The agency on Wednesday summoned the MP, nephew of former CM Mamata Banerjee, for questioning on June 15. ED had previously questioned him in the case in September and October 2023.

A recent supplementary charge sheet filed by CBI, which is probing corruption charges in the case, is the fresh trigger to summon Banerjee for another round of questioning, the people said. "The evidence furnished by CBI in its recent charge sheet has become a subject matter of further investigation," a senior official said.


ED will conclude its probe and file the final prosecution complaint (similar to a charge sheet) after questioning Abhishek Banerjee, the official told ET. "The endeavour is to conclude the probe, file the final prosecution complaint and push for speedy trial of the case."

The case involves allegations of collecting money from candidates to arrange illegal appointments as primary school teachers. According to the case, Leaps and Bounds Management Services Ltd, where the MP's wife Rujira and father Amit were directors, was used to divert money. Banerjee has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

The Calcutta High Court in September 2023 observed that it could "smell something" and that "all is not well" with the probe. It had expressed displeasure at the way ED was investigating the finances of the firm. HC pointed out that the list of assets provided by Banerjee appeared to be "incomplete".

HC had directed ED to file reports giving details of the transactions of the company, the value of transactions and clients since its inception. It also sought balance sheets and statements of accounts.