Arpita Mukherjee, an accused in a multi-crore recruitment scam in West Bengal state-run schools, blamed former Education Minister Partha Chatterjee for dragging her into the case when she appeared in a special PMLA court. While Mukherjee’s counsel described Chatterjee as the mastermind of the case, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) argued before the court that both the accused were equally involved.
The ED had recovered several crores in cash, gold biscuits and ornaments from two flats owned by Mukherjee last year. She argued that the seized money and gold belonged to Chatterjee and not her. Mukherjee noted that other directors in the shell companies established by Chatterjee were spared whereas she had to contend with an aging mother.
The ED also highlighted that Mukherjee was a nominee in 31 life insurance policies in the name of the former minister and posed the question of why she did not speak of the proceeds stored in her flats earlier. It was alleged that Mukherjee and Chatterjee had jointly owned several properties.
Kolkata-based firm, Partha Chatterjee and Associates, was set up by the former Education Minister in 2012. The firm is said to be involved in providing consultancy services, legal representation, and financial audits. Chatterjee is still the Managing Director of the firm.
Arpita Mukherjee is a former lawyer and former confidant of Partha Chatterjee. She has been charged in the multi-crore recruitment scam along with the Education Minister. Earlier, she maintained a professional relationship with the Chatterjee and Associates firm. Mukherjee is currently living with her aging mother in Kolkata.