During the hearing before Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Gaurang Kanth, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) counsel expressed dissatisfaction with the state government's prolonged delay in granting approval despite repeated reminders.
West Bengal Chief Secretary BP Gopalika faced summons from the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday, April 3, for failing to provide a report on the state government's delay in approving the commencement of trial against government officials implicated in the cash-for-school job scandal, according to an IANS report.
During the hearing before Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Gaurang Kanth, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) counsel expressed dissatisfaction with the state government's prolonged delay in granting approval despite repeated reminders.
Consequently, the Division Bench instructed Chief Secretary Gopalika to appear before it during the second half of Wednesday's court proceedings for further deliberation on the matter.
Earlier on March 22, the same Division Bench had instructed Gopalika to specify a deadline for the state government's approval to commence trial against those arrested in connection with the education department scandal.
Furthermore, the Bench had directed the Chief Secretary to explain in the report due by April 3 the reasons behind the delay in granting approval.
The Bench expressed disappointment when the Chief Secretary failed to submit the report by the deadline, emphasizing the court's expectation for prompt action on the matter.
“The court expected the Chief Secretary to submit a report in the matter. The court has previously asked the Chief Secretary about the tentative time by when the state government will give the approval for beginning of the trial process. However, even after that no report on this count was submitted at the court. In that case why the Chief Secretary should not be asked to be physically present at the court,” Justice Bagchi remarked, as reported by IANS