Alcohol smuggled to jailed Trinamool minister: BJP

The BJP Thursday claimed liquor was being smuggled into the prison cell of West Bengal Transport Minister Madan Mitra who has been arrested for alleged involvement in the multi-crore Saradha scam and demanded a probe. The government denied the allegations.

"Masseurs as well as liquor are entering the correctional home where Madan Mitra has been kept. No government has the right to do as it pleases with correctional facilities and needs to be probed," state BJP president Rahul Sinha told media persons at the party's headquarters here.

Sinha said his party wanted an inquiry headed by a former Supreme Court judge into the matter.

"We want immediate suspension of the jail superintendent, the jailer and people involved in this matter," he said.

Mitra, who was arrested Dec 12 by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for criminal conspiracy, cheating and deriving undue financial benefits in connection with the scandal, is now lodged at the Alipore Central Correctional Home.

Asked about Sinha's allegation, state Correctional Administration Minister H.A. Safwi said: "I don't have any such report. Had there been such an incident I would have got an intimation."

The BJP had previously also alleged Mitra was enjoying undue benefits in judicial custody which the minister had brushed aside.