Kolkata, 6 Jan (H.S.) – In a significant revelation, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) informed a special court in Kolkata that Partha Chatterjee's son-in-law, Kalyanmoy Bhattacharya, admitted to purchasing property worth over ₹1 crore using cash provided by the former minister. The transactions were conducted under the name of a trust established in memory of Chatterjee’s late wife, Babli Chatterjee.

During the hearing of the teacher recruitment scam case, the ED submitted its fifth supplementary chargesheet, citing Bhattacharya's written statement as evidence of financial misconduct. According to ED sources, Chatterjee’s black money was laundered through the Babli Chatterjee Memorial Foundation Trust, with his son-in-law playing a central role.

The chargesheet reveals that in June 2019, Bhattacharya purchased 18 cottahs of land in Kolkata’s Patuli area for ₹1.17 crore in cash. This money was allegedly collected from Chatterjee's residence in Naktala. Bhattacharya claimed that Chatterjee convinced him the land was meant for a hospital in his late wife's name.

Bhattacharya’s statement further detailed the involvement of Chatterjee’s close associates in handling the trust’s bank accounts and other transactions. Investigators allege that Chatterjee not only used his son-in-law to execute the deals but also kept him under surveillance through trusted intermediaries.

The ED has also uncovered documents showing that the trust received funds through cheques from alleged donors. However, Bhattacharya stated that he was unaware of the existence of these donors, raising questions about the authenticity of the transactions.

Court documents indicate that Bhattacharya voluntarily provided his statements in March 2024 and clarified that he was not under any coercion. The ED plans to use these statements as key evidence in the case.

Hindusthan Samachar / SP Singh