Mamata Banerjee

The West Bengal School Service Commission recruitment scandal led to investigations and arrests, including that of former minister Partha Chatterjee, followed by the cancellation of tens of thousands of appointments. In April 2025, the Supreme Court upheld the finding that the 2016 selection process had been irretrievably tainted.

State of the evidence

CBI/ED investigations, convictions or charges against various officials and Supreme Court decisions documented

Legal status — source text

Supreme Court upheld the cancellation of 25,753 appointments in April 2025; however, it overturned a separate CBI investigation order concerning the creation of supernumerary posts; no personal criminal charges against Mamata in the core case retained

Attribution

institutional political responsibility; alleged or established offences by ministers and commission officials must not be attributed to Mamata

On 8 January 2026, while the ED was searching I-PAC's office and the home of its director Pratik Jain in a financial investigation, Mamata arrived at the premises. The ED alleges that she and senior police officers obstructed the search and removed documents or equipment.

State of the evidence

incident, ED applications, opposing arguments and provisional Supreme Court observations documented

Legal status — source text

case pending; Supreme Court issued notices, stayed FIRs against ED officers and described the issue as serious; no conviction

Attribution

personal involvement alleged in connection with her physical intervention at the premises

The rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor at RG Kar Medical College in August 2024 triggered nationwide mobilisation. The hospital's initial response, the police, the rapid reassignment of its former principal and confrontation with striking doctors fuelled a major political crisis for Mamata.

State of the evidence

crime, transfer of investigation to CBI, protests and Supreme Court intervention documented

Legal status — source text

criminal proceedings concern alleged perpetrators, accomplices and hospital officials; no personal criminal involvement by Mamata

Attribution

political responsibility for the state's response, policing and management of the hospital system

In Sandeshkhali, women and local residents accused TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh and his associates of sexual violence, intimidation and land grabbing. The state faced strong criticism over its slow response and Sheikh's delayed arrest.

State of the evidence

allegations, delay in arrest and judicial decision concerning the CBI investigation documented

Legal status — source text

Supreme Court dismissed West Bengal's appeal against the CBI investigation; no personal guilt of Banerjee

Attribution

political responsibility for the state's response; alleged crimes by Shahjahan or his associates not personally attributed to her

Role of the person profiled

Protagonist not prosecuted

Following the arrest of two TMC ministers and two other officials in the Narada case, Mamata went to CBI headquarters and remained there for approximately six hours demanding their release. Thousands of supporters gathered outside.

State of the evidence

arrests, dharna and observations by Calcutta High Court documented

Legal status — source text

no allegation of personal corruption against Mamata in the sting operation; the CBI alleged pressure on proceedings

Attribution

personal responsibility for intervention at CBI headquarters; alleged bribery by the arrested officials not attributed to her

Following the TMC's victory in 2021, allegations of murders, rapes, displacement and intimidation targeting opposition supporters led to an NHRC investigation. Its committee described an environment of 'law of the ruler' and called for independent investigations.

State of the evidence

violence, NHRC report and High Court decision documented

Legal status — source text

Calcutta High Court assigned allegations of murder and rape to the CBI and established an SIT for other incidents; no personal guilt of Banerjee

Attribution

institutional responsibility as head of government and TMC leader; individual crimes not automatically attributed to her

In February 2019, Mamata staged a sit-in after a CBI team attempted to question Kolkata's police commissioner in the Saradha/Rose Valley investigations. The episode triggered a dramatic confrontation between the state and the federal agency.

State of the evidence

political intervention and sit-in documented

Legal status — source text

no personal corruption charges against Banerjee established in these fraud cases

Attribution

personal responsibility for the institutional confrontation, without attributing the Saradha/Rose Valley frauds to her

The West Bengal government banned Durga idol immersions during a period around Muharram to prevent potential clashes. Hindu organisations and the opposition accused Mamata of 'vote-bank' politics.

State of the evidence

government notification and court decision documented

Legal status — source text

Calcutta High Court overturned the blanket restrictions and permitted immersions, subject to route regulation

Attribution

direct political responsibility of the Banerjee government

While in opposition, Mamata Banerjee led a prolonged campaign against the acquisition of farmland in Singur for the Tata Nano factory. Tata Motors eventually moved the project to Gujarat, and Banerjee's opponents accused her movement of damaging Bengal's industrial reputation.

State of the evidence

protests, industrial relocation and Supreme Court ruling documented

Legal status — source text

in 2016, the Supreme Court ruled that the 2006 acquisition was unlawful and ordered the land returned

Attribution

direct political responsibility for mobilisation contributing to the project's departure; final judicial outcome favourable to the land acquisition challenge