CBI summons Bengal Minister in Narada sting case

The Central Bureau of Investigation has summoned veteran Trinamool Congress leader and West Bengal Rural Development Minister Subrata Mukherjee for questioning in the Narada sting case.

Mukherjee, however, told the CBI that he needed "reasonable time" before he could visit the CBI office.

"Mukherjee was in Digha (in East Midnapore district for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's administrative meeting). He came to know there that they (CBI) have suddenly called him. He has no intention of not going to the CBI. He will go whenever he is called, but he has sought reasonable time," his lawyer said.

Subrata Mukherjee was among a dozen Trinamool leaders allegedly caught on video tape while receiving money in exchange for a promise to dole out favours to a fictitious company.

The clipping was uploaded on the Narada news portal in March last year ahead of the assembly elections in West Bengal.

The Calcutta High Court ordered a CBI preliminary inquiry into the case on March 17, and asked the agency to submit the report within 72 hours.

The Trinamool Congress moved the Supreme Court, which extended the deadline for the preliminary probe to one month.

On April 17, the CBI filed an FIR against a dozen senior Trinamool leaders, including former and current state ministers, MPs, and an MLA, besides an Indian Police Service officer.

Among others named in the First Information Report are Trinamool Vice President and Rajya Sabha member Mukul Roy, Lok Sabha members Sougata Roy, Kakali Ghosh Dastidar, Aparupa Poddar, and Prasun Banerjee.

Also featuring in the list are state ministers Firhad Hakim, Suvendu Adhikari, city Mayor and state Minister Sovan Chatterjee, legislator Iqbal Ahmed, and former minister Madan Mitra apart from IPS officer S.M.H. Mirza.

The accused have been charged with criminal conspiracy and under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

--IANS

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