TMC's Abhishek Banerjee Faces ED Scrutiny in West Bengal Recruitment Scandal

TMC General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee appeared before the ED for questioning on the West Bengal Primary Teachers Recruitment scam. The probe, which follows financial misconduct accusations, coincides with previous actions where assets worth billions were seized, centering around irregular recruitment practices in state-run schools.

Trinamool Congress (TMC) National General Secretary, Abhishek Banerjee, arrived at the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) office on Monday for questioning related to the multi-crore Primary Teachers Recruitment scam in West Bengal. Banerjee's appearance follows a summons earlier this month to participate in the ongoing investigation concerning alleged anomalies in the hiring process.

This development follows a significant action in January when the ED's Kolkata zonal office attached properties valued at approximately Rs 57.78 crore as part of its crackdown on the West Bengal Central School Service Commission (SSC) Assistant Teacher Recruitment Scam. Last year, the ED arrested former West Bengal Education Minister Partha Chatterjee after the recovery of cash and jewelry worth millions during raids linked to the scandal.

In the persistent Primary Teachers Recruitment Scam investigation, the ED has so far seized assets amounting to Rs 154 crore. The Supreme Court's April 2025 ruling annulled the appointments of over 25,000 teachers and staff, citing corruption in the recruitment process. Both the ED, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, and the CBI, citing the Prevention of Corruption Act among others, have cases registered in this affair.