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Kolkata, Nov 11 (IANS) Former West Bengal education minister Partha Chatterjee was released from judicial custody on Tuesday, more than three years after he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) recruitment corruption scam. Chatterjee, who was admitted to a private hospital in the city’s Mukundpur area due to several health issues, was released from the hospital premises in the afternoon following the release order from the special CBI court, with the papers related to his bail bond also reaching the authorities. After being released, tears welled up in the eyes of the former Minister of State. He was taken to his vehicle in a wheelchair. A large number of Chatterjee’s followers reached the hospital premises to celebrate his release. As Partha Chatterjee’s vehicle came out of the hospital premises, they raised slogans of “Zindabad”. Some of his supporters even started crying with joy. From the hospital, Chatterjee reached his home in Naktala area of South Kolkata. On Monday, the judge of the special CBI court ordered the release of Partha Chatterjee from judicial custody. Chatterjee attended the court hearing virtually from the hospital. After spending three years, three months and 18 days in ED, CBI and judicial custody, Chatterjee returned home on Tuesday and spent most of his time admitted to a private hospital for treatment. The former state education minister was arrested by the ED in July 2022 for his alleged involvement in the multi-crore SSC teacher recruitment scam. On the day of Chatterjee’s arrest in 2022, the ED had recovered Rs 20 crore in cash from the house of his close aide Arpita Mukherjee, who was also arrested in the same case. The central probe agency also seized incriminating documents related to 12 immovable properties belonging to his close associates as well as paperwork related to the appointment of Group-D employees in schools. In September this year, the Calcutta High Court granted bail to Chatterjee, who was in ED and later CBI custody before being sent to judicial custody during the last three years. Despite the bail order, Chatterjee could not be released immediately due to the Supreme Court’s direction that he would be released only after the trial court completed the examination of important witnesses within two months. The top court had also directed that charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act be framed within four weeks and statements of witnesses be recorded within two months. The apex court also ordered to grant final bail after completing the first phase of testimony by November 14. After this, the judge of the CBI special court framed charges in the case and started the hearing process. The lower court decided that testimony of eight people would be taken in the first phase. The names of eight witnesses were proposed by the CBI. The testimony of the eighth witness was completed on Monday. Subsequently, the special CBI court in Alipore, Kolkata issued the order for his release. –IANS sh/kHz