Saradha probe being subjected to extraneous influence: Kunal

Suspended Trinamool Congress MP Kunal Ghosh today alleged that the Saradha chit fund scam probe was being subjected to "extraneous influence" during hearing of the case. "The whole system is acting to influence the probe," Ghosh said during the hearing of the case in the court of metropolitan magistrate Barun Roy. "My bail prayer is being opposed on the ground that I am an influential person while people of the ruling party are hampering court proceedings," Ghosh said apparently making a reference to the disruption by a section of lawyers two days back during passing of an order by a judge on state Transport Minister madan Mitra.

Seeking a probe into CBI's alleged failure to get Section 409 (criminal breach of trust by a public servant) of IPC slapped against some accused, Ghosh said "just because of a simple clerical mistake, the important Section was not incorporated, is this acceptable?" Srinjoy Bose, another accused in the case, was last week granted bail by the Alipore Court as CBI had not filed charge sheet within the mandated 60 days.

He also alleged that witnesses were being influenced in the case. Ghosh, who pleaded on his own during the hearing today, prayed for bail. The CBI counsel opposed the bail plea and sought extension of judicial remand of Ghosh.

The judge, upon hearing both the parties, rejected the bail prayer and extended Ghosh's remand till February 25. The judge also extended the judicial remand of Saradha boss Sudipta Sen and his close associate Debjani Mukherjee, both of whom were also produced before the court today along with Ghosh, till February 25.