Officials refuse release of Kunal Ghosh's unpublished books

Authorities have turned down Saradha scam accused Kunal Ghosh's mother's request to hand over her son's unpublished books -- confiscated by officials on his arrest -- arguing that there was no law allowing their release.

Citing lack of any express law in this regard, the West Bengal Correctional Administration refused the request of 80-year old Monika Ghosh.

In May, she wrote to the jail authorities asking for two novels written by the suspended Trinamool Rajya Sabha member, who has been behind bars since November 2013 and charge-sheeted by the CBI in the multi-crore-rupee scam.

Claimed to be a "work of fiction", the two books in Bengali are now in the custody of the superintendent of the Presidency Correctional Home where the journalist-turned-politician is now lodged.

While the matter was referred to the state home department's press and publication section, it in turn asked Additional Director General of Correctional Services Adhir Sharma to take a call.

"Since there is no provision either under the Correctional Services Act or the Jail Code concerning the matter it was difficult for me to take a decision on whether the books can be published or handed over to her mother as requested," Sharma told IANS on Friday.

The controversial Ghosh has made several damaging allegations against the top leadership of his own party, including party supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and even wrote letters to the Central Bureau of Investigation, the Enforcement Directorate and the prime minister, making sensational claims.

Sharma said the publication or handing over of the books may create further controversy.

"While there is no law barring a prisoner for writing letters or books, there is no law either which expressly provides that they can be published. Ghosh on earlier occasions, had written several letters to the CBI, ED or the prime minister, and those were circulated in the media which was a violation of the jail Code," he said.

When contacted by IANS, state correctional services minister Haider Aziz Safwi, said: "I don't comment on any inmate."

While the contents of the books are not known, a jail official said the contents of the books are bound to be controversial.

"Going by his theatrics, and the sensational claims that he has been making about the involvement of Trinamool leaders in the Saradha scam, the books would be controversial, is to say the least," said another jail official.