Saradha scam: Two CPI-M leaders refuse to appear before police

Gautam Deb and Sujon Chakraborty, served notices earlier ignore summons

CPI-M leaders Gautam Deb and Sujon Chakraborty, served notices earlier, refused to to appear before the West Bengal Police in the Saradha scam case, citing political commitments.

Deb, served the notice hours after he accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's kin of amassing wealth, Wednesday declined to appear.

Deb claimed Banerjee's family members have purchased properties worth about Rs.20 crore in recent years. He was Tuesday night served a "witness notice" by the Bidhannagar police commissionerate, which is probing the Saradha chit fund scam.

He was asked to appear for questioning Wednesday.

"He has declined to appear before the police today (Wednesday) as he is busy with political commitments. The police have been informed and he will appear at a suitable date," Deb's counsel and party leader Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya said.

"The Electronics Complex police station is investigating a number of cases relating to the Saradha scam, but we have not been informed as to the specific case for which he has been asked to come," added Bhattacharya.

Meanwhile, Chakraborty, another CPI-M leader contesting the Lok Sabha election from Jadavpur constituency, too has been served a notice to appear before the Bidhannagar police commissionerate Thursday. He too said he would not appear before police.

"The notice says that I am acquainted with the circumstances of a case. So for the interest of investigation, I have to appear before the police and answer their questions," said Chakraborty, who expressed his annoyance over being called in a case filed a year back. He accused the police of harassing him.

"What have the police been doing for a year? Why are they calling me now when I am campaigning? Why are the police trying to do politics? I will complain about this to the Election Commission," said Chakraborty, adding he will not appear before the police.