Page 47 - West Bengal

Cal HC delivers split verdict on bail plea to Partha Chatterjee, 4 others

A two-judge division bench of the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday delivered a split verdict on a bail petition moved by former West Bengal education minister Partha Chatterjee and four other high-profile accused, indicted by the CBI in the School Service Commission (SSC) recruitment scam. While Justice Arijit Banerjee approved the bail of all the 10 accused who appealed before the bench, Justice Apurba Sinha Roy decided against granting bail to Chatterjee and four other former education department officials Subiresh Bhattacharya, Ashok Saha, Kalyanmoy Gangopadhyay and Shanti Prasad Sinha. Bhattacharya served as the erstwhile state SSC chairman and, subsequently, as vice-chancellor of North Bengal University, while Saha acted as the former assistant secretary to the commission during the time period of the scam. Gangopadhyay was president of the state secondary education board during the period, and Sinha is the former advisor to the state SSC. The corruption, which has run into .

Separate yardsticks can't be applied to different accused, says SC

The state government cannot be permitted to apply different yardsticks for different accused, the Supreme Court said on Wednesday while granting bail to a man in a criminal case lodged in West Bengal. The apex court noted the state does not propose to challenge the order granting anticipatory bail to four other co-accused in the case, though the court had given suggestions in that regard. "On the other hand, the state government is opposing the application for grant of bail of an accused, who has been incarcerated in jail for a period of about one year and two months," a bench of Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan said. "The state government cannot be permitted to apply different yardsticks for different accused," it said. The top court was dealing with a plea filed by a man, who had challenged the Calcutta High Court's July this year order dismissing his application seeking regular bail in the case lodged in October 2023. The bench noted that in its September 19 order passed

WB Guv draws upon grassroots experiences, highlights 'regional imbalances'

Days before completing two years in office, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose drew upon his grassroots experiences to highlight "regional imbalances" between the state's northern and southern districts and claimed that lack of prosperity in the former region has led to a "disconnect" between the state government and its people. Speaking exclusively to PTI about various issues, Bose refrained from evaluating his constitutional colleague, Mamata Banerjee, but made it clear that he was "more concerned" about her performance as Chief Minister than as a politician. Expressing satisfaction with his tenure in office so far, Bose said, "These two years have taught me many positive things. It is a very refined state, which gives a lot of emphasis on art and culture." "But the state has some problems especially in north Bengal, where there are regional imbalances and a disconnect that arises because of that," he added, while explaining that "economic backwardness" in districts north of the

RG Kar case: Bengal Guv asks for report over Kolkata CP's involvement claim

In a post on X, Raj Bhavan Media Cell said that Governor Bose has urged the state government to look into the matter and inform him of the factual position

West Bengal: TMC, BJP set for bypolls on six seats amid RG Kar probe

The by-elections to six assembly constituencies in West Bengal on Wednesday are shaping up to be a test for the ruling TMC, amid a wave of widespread protests across the state surrounding the alleged rape and murder of a doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The incident has sparked a months-long agitation by junior doctors demanding justice for their deceased colleague and systemic reforms, significantly impacting the political environment just days before the polls. Both the ruling TMC and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have fielded candidates for all six seats: Naihati, Haroa, Medinipur, Taldangra, Sitai (SC), and Madarihat (ST). Notably, five of these constituencies are in the TMC strongholds of south Bengal, while Madarihat remains a BJP bastion in the northern part of the state. Adding another layer of competition, the CPI (M)-led Left Front and the Congress are contesting separately for the first time since 2021, following a recent change in the Ben

SC junks WB plea against arbitral award in favour of Mauritius-based firm

Observing "citizens cannot be taken for a ride", the Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain an appeal of the West Bengal government against an arbitral award that asked it to pay a Mauritius-based company towards promised tax incentives. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar upheld the July 12 order of the Calcutta High Court that refused to stay the arbitral award asking the state government to deposit Rs 2,063 crore approximately in favour of Essex Development Investments (Mauritius) Limited. The dispute pertained to the payment of assured tax incentive to Essex which had purchased West Bengal government's shares in Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd (HPL) as per a share purchase agreement (SPA). The bench was hearing the appeal of the state government and the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation Limited (WBIDC) against the high court judgement dated September 18, 2023. The citizens cannot be taken for a ride. Here is a private ..

Goons from UP, Bihar making bombs in Bengal, says BJP's Dilip Ghosh

Ghosh accused the Mamata Banerjee government of being friends with anti-social people

Restoration underway after 3 coaches of Secunderabad-Shalimar train derail

According to railway officials, three coaches including one parcel van of the 22850 Secundrabad Shalimar SF Express derailed near Nalpur Station

RG Kar case: Deceased doctor's father says Amit Shah called him for meeting

The father of the deceased woman medic of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital said he has spoken to Union Home Minister Amit Shah who has called him for a meeting. He, however, declined to divulge much about his talks with Shah and when and where the meeting would be held. "I have spoken to him (Amit Shah). He has called me (for a meeting). I cannot talk much about it, but the meeting will take place," the father of the deceased woman medic at the RG Kar Hospital told reporters on Wednesday. The parents of the victim had earlier written to Shah on October 22 requesting for an appointment to guide and help them get justice. State BJP leaders had said they would try to arrange a meeting between Shah and the couple during his visit to Kolkata on October 27, but it did not happen. The parents had, however, said they were not upset about not getting an audience with Shah during his visit and expressed hope that they may get the opportunity to meet the Union home minister in future.

Finmin starts phase 4 of RRB consolidation, number to fall from 43 to 28

In a bid to achieve operational efficiency and cost rationalisation, the Finance Ministry has initiated the fourth round of consolidation for Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) and the number of such banks is likely to come down to 28 from 43 at present. As per the roadmap prepared by the Finance Ministry, 15 RRBs operating in various states would be merged. Among states that will see consolidation of RRBs include Andhra Pradesh, which has the maximum number of RRBs (4), Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal (3 each), and Bihar, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha and Rajasthan (2 each). In the case of Telangana, the amalgamation of RRBs will be subject to bifurcation of assets and liabilities of Andhra Pradesh Grameena Vikas Bank (APGVB) between APGVB and Telangana Grameena Bank. "Given the rural expansion of RRBs and agro-climatic or geographical ethos and in order to retain the USP of RRBs viz the closeness to communities, it is the felt need to embark on .

'I was framed': RG Kar case accused frantically shouts from jeep. WATCH

Sanjoy Roy, a civic volunteer with the local police, was arrested a day after the body of a junior doctor was found in the seminar hall of the Kolkata-based hospital

Junior doctors call for capital punishment in RG Kar Medical College case

As November 9 marks 90 days since the incident, Dr. Rajdeep affirmed that the protests will continue until justice is served

Central referral system activated in five medical colleges in Kolkata

The West Bengal government has linked five medical colleges in Kolkata with the central referral system and started a digital bed vacancy monitor in one of these facilities, a state health department official said. These mechanisms are some of the demands made by junior doctors who have been agitating following the rape and murder of an on-duty medic at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. The central referral system would allow hospitals in districts to requisition a bed in medical establishments in the city before referring a patient. On the other hand, with the bed vacancy monitor set up at NRS Medical College and Hospital, people will be able to see the number of beds occupied by patients in different departments, as well as those available. "The central referral system was made functional at five medical colleges in the city today. It would take a few more days for complete implementation of the entire process," the health department official told PTI. The five he

TMC creates atmosphere of fear before elections, says BJP's Dilip Ghosh

The BJP leader further claimed that TMC have begun vandalising BJP offices. They try to intimidate opposition voices and influence the election results

RG Kar case: Not happy with CBI probe, medics announce slew of protests

Almost three months after the rape and murder of a medic at state-run R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, junior doctors on Friday said they are not happy with the pace of probe by the CBI into the incident and announced a slew of fresh agitations. The West Bengal Junior Doctors' Forum was also dissatisfied with the central probe agency since the charge sheet it filed before the Supreme Court in the medic's murder case named only one person as accused, who was arrested by the police before the CBI took over the investigation on a Calcutta High Court order. "We will take out a rally in Kolkata on November 9 from College Square to Esplanade along with members of civil society organisations. There will be similar rallies in different parts of West Bengal, Forum spokesperson Debashis Halder told a press meet at R G Kar Hospital. A mass convention will be also held on November 9 on Rani Rashmoni Avenue in Esplanade area demanding justice for the murdered medic. "We are also

How Uttar Pradesh became India's new business magnet, overtaking Bengal

Over the past year-and-a-half, Uttar Pradesh has witnessed remarkable growth, adding 28,649 active companies

Bengal home to all, people celebrate every festival together: CM Mamata

Asserting that West Bengal is home to all sections, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday urged the people to live in peace and celebrate every festival together. Inaugurating a number of community Kali Puja pandals across Kolkata, she also urged the people to celebrate with environment-friendly firecrackers. "Bengal is such a place, where nobody will ask you about your caste, or which state you belong to or what is your religion or whether you are vegetarian or non-vegetarian. Nobody will ask whether you like Bengal or not. This is your right," Banerjee said. "We are proud to say that you all are citizens of Bengal. Whenever you are staying here, please consider it as your home state. Do not misunderstand me but consider my views," she added. Among the pandals she inaugurated were Girish Park Kali Puja, Janbazar Sammilito, India Club, Venus Club, and Youth Friends Club Kali Puja, which are located in areas that have significant non-Bengali population. "During festivals, we all

West Bengal extends ban on tobacco-based gutkha, pan masala till Nov 2025

The West Bengal government has extended the ban on manufacturing, storing and selling gutkha and pan masala products containing tobacco or nicotine for another year, starting November 7. The order was issued by the state health department on October 24, citing public health concerns. "The Commissioner of Food Safety of the state is empowered under Section 30 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 to prohibit in the interest of public health, the manufacture, storage, distribution or sale of any article of food in the whole of State, for a period of one year", the order stated.

Peace can be established in Bengal only after infiltration stops: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said peace can be established in West Bengal only when cross-border infiltration from Bangladesh stops. He claimed that illegal immigration from the neighbouring country will be stopped if the BJP comes to power in West Bengal in 2026. Addressing the inauguration of a new passenger terminal building and cargo gate at Petrapole land port along the India-Bangladesh border in Bengal, he slammed the TMC government over the issue of corruption and exhorted the people of the state to bring in political change in 2026. In establishing peace in the region, land ports play an important role. When there is no scope for the legal movement of people across the border, illegal modes of movement arise, which impacts the peace of the country. I urge the people of Bengal to bring in change in 2026, and we will stop infiltration, and peace will come, he said. There can be peace in Bengal only when infiltration stops Land ports play an important role in improv

HM Amit Shah arrives Kolkata to launch BJP's membership drive in state

On Amit Shah's visit, BJP leader Locket Chatterjee said that due to political issues in the state, the membership drive started late in the state