Bengal govt moves SC seeking court-monitored probe in Saradha

Kapil Sibal to appear for Mamata-government, slammed by Bengal Congressman

West Bengal government and Trinamool Congress today separately moved Supreme Court, asking it to monitor the ongoing Saradha probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), alleging selective leaks in Saradha investigation affecting the image of the state government.

While handing over the Saradha case to the CBI in April, 2013, Supreme Court noted there was no need to monitor the investigation at that point of time, but would do so if the need arises. Incidentally, it was West Bengal Congress leader Abdul Mannan, who had moved the apex court seeking a CBI probe and it was on his plea Supreme Court ordered CBI investigation.

Congress leader and former law minister Kapil Sibal today filed the petition on behalf of the West Bengal government saying the need had arisen.

However, Sibal's move has drawn unprecedented flak from his own party colleagues in West Bengal.

“We regret that Mr Sibal is representing the state government in this case. He cannot damage the party for mere professional gain. He should be boycotted at all party events,” said West Bengal Congress chief and party MP Adhir Chowdhury.

“We will raise this matter in the party's central committee.” said Congress leader Arunava Ghosh, while another state congress leader Mala Roy described Sibal as a “TMC agent”. Many Congress workers, in fact, demonstrated at the Congress headquarters in Kolkata against Kapil Sibal.

The government petition has sought a court- monitored probe on the grounds that there have been selective and deliberate leaks in the investigation so far to benefit some political party.

A separate petition filed by TMC leader Mohua Moitra, made a similar plea, making more direct allegations about BJP and CBI links. BJP leaders are giving reactions on Saradha probe developments even before the CBI's actions and decisions become public, the petition claimed.

The matter is likely to come up for hearing within this week.While Kapil Sibal would appear for the state government, former Additional Solicitor General Vivek Tanka was likely to represent the Trinamool Congress.

The BJP and Left, too hit out at both TMC and Sibal, saying that such efforts would not save Mamata Banerjee's party. The CBI has recently summoned TMC all India general secretary Mukul Roy in the Saradha case.CBI had earlier arrested TMC MP Srinjoy Bose and West Bengal minister Madan Mitra in this case. Former TMC MP Kunal Ghosh was arrested in the Saradha scam by the state police even before the CBI was handed over the case.