Kolkata, 14 June (H.S.):
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is preparing to collect voice samples from five individuals after a new audio clip emerged in connection with the high-profile West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) recruitment scam. The clip reportedly contains conversations implicating key figures already named in the case.
According to CBI officials, voice samples have been requested from former WBSSC Chairman Subires Bhattacharya, former Secretary, former staff member Samarjit Acharya, and Parna Bhattacharya. Additionally, Niladri Das and Pankaj Bansal — both associated with ‘NYSA,’ a private agency outsourced by the Commission for handling and securing Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheets used in written examinations — have also been asked to provide samples.
The CBI has confirmed that all five individuals are already named in its chargesheet. However, the agency has declined to disclose the source of the newly surfaced audio clip, citing concerns that doing so could compromise the investigation and breach confidentiality.
Subires Bhattacharya’s legal counsel has questioned both the authenticity and the timing of the audio clip, pointing out that the CBI has already filed three separate chargesheets in the case. The emergence of new evidence at this stage, he said, raises doubts about its credibility.
Meanwhile, sources close to the investigation suggest that the audio clip contains conversations revealing the direct involvement of former state education minister and Trinamool Congress secretary general Partha Chatterjee in overseeing and guiding the fraudulent activities.
If verified, the contents of the clip could significantly strengthen the case against Partha Chatterjee, who is already considered by both the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) as one of the masterminds behind the scam.
The audio is also believed to shed light on the alleged collusion between senior officials of WBSSC and the private agency NYSA, which may have enabled the seamless operation of the widespread corruption network.
Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh
