No reprieve for TMC as SC refuses to stop CBI probe into Narada sting case

Apex court says plea against probe deserves "outright rejection", seeks apology from govt advocate

In a major setback to the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress, the Supreme Court on Tuesday turned down a petition filed by the party and refused to stop a CBI investigation into the Narada Sting operation case. Several leaders of West Bengal's ruling party had been allegedly caught accepting money illegally on a web camera.

In its plea, TMC had sought relief on the grounds that the Calcutta High Court had transgressed all constitutional limits. Discarding the appeal, the apex court asserted that it was "unfortunate" and deserved "outright rejection", and also sought an apology from the government's advocate.

News website Narada News had released a video last year, allegedly showing several TMC leaders - many of whom were elected lawmakers - accepting wads of currency from a man posing as the owner of a company that apparently sought favours from the ruling West Bengal government.

Some TMC leaders approached the apex court on Monday, seeking to stop a CBI probe ordered by the Calcutta High Court into the case. The agency had been directed to launch a preliminary inquiry within 72 hours and file a case. That time linite was extended to one month by the Supreme Court on Tuesday.

Blaming the BJP for trying to tarnish her party's image, Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee had claimed that the money was accepted as a donation for the elections and that there was no demand for the cash. She asserted there was nothing illegal aboutthe transaction