Calcutta High Court dismisses Sujay Bhadra’s plea to stay voice sample test

Kolkata (IANS). The Calcutta High Court on Thursday dismissed a plea seeking a stay on the voice sample test of Sujay Krishna Bhadra, the main accused in the multi-crore school recruitment case in West Bengal.

The decision comes at a time when there is uncertainty over the timing of the test as Sujay Bhadra, also known as Kalighatar Kaku (uncle of Kalighat), is currently admitted at Kolkata’s SSKM Medical College and Hospital.

After the stent was put in on Tuesday evening, the timing of his return to judicial custody has also not been revealed.

However, while dismissing the petition, the single bench of Justice Tirthankar Ghose said whether it can be considered as evidence against Sujay Bhadra in the court or not, has to be decided by a competent court at a later stage.

He also observed that the matter of voice sample test cannot be stayed at this stage of investigation.

During the hearing on Thursday, Sujay Bhadra’s counsel Kishor Dutta questioned how the Enforcement Directorate (ED) got permission for the voice sample test. He argued that the trial was allowed by the trial court. Such tests are usually permitted by the Union Home Ministry under special circumstances.

In his rejoinder, ED’s counsel Feroz Edulji argued that the voice sample test is extremely important in the case. Central agency officials can conduct tests after Sujay Bhadra is in judicial custody.

The ED has to present its charge sheet naming Sujay Bhadra in the PMLA court in Kolkata by July 29. Sources said that in the chargesheet, the central agency will give details of assets and properties registered in the names of Sujay Bhadra, his family members and close associates. Will also focus on how much these assets were disproportionate to their income.