Kolkata, 18 February (H.S.) – Former West Bengal minister Partha Chatterjee was sent back to Presidency Jail on Tuesday after being discharged from the hospital. Accused in the teacher recruitment scam, Chatterjee has been in jail for the past two and a half years and was recently hospitalized due to deteriorating health.

On January 20, Chatterjee fell ill inside the jail and was admitted to SSKM Hospital. Dissatisfied with his treatment there, he sought permission from the court to receive medical care at a private hospital. After reviewing SSKM's medical report, the court allowed him to shift to a private hospital on the condition that he bear all expenses. He was admitted to a private hospital near the Bypass on January 28.

On February 14, the hospital informed the court that Chatterjee had recovered and could soon be discharged. Four days later, on Tuesday, he was released from the hospital and sent back to jail.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Partha Chatterjee on July 22, 2022, in connection with the recruitment scam. Later, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) also arrested him. Since his arrest, Chatterjee has been hospitalized multiple times due to health issues. The court has previously questioned whether SSKM Hospital has become a safe haven for influential political leaders. A High Court judge had remarked on this issue, citing Trinamool leaders Madan Mitra and Anubrata Mondal as examples. Following a court order, Chatterjee was also sent to AIIMS Bhubaneswar for a medical examination. Now, after a prolonged period of medical treatment, he has returned to jail.

Hindusthan Samachar / S P Singh