Trinamool MLA seeks more time from CBI in Narada case

Summoned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the Narada sting video probe, Trinamool Congress legislator Iqbal Ahmed on Saturday sought time citing ill health and the ongoing Ramadan fast.

Kolkata Deputy Mayor Ahmed, who had received a notice from the CBI to appear at its office in south Kolkata's Nizam Palace, instead sent a letter through his lawyer seeking "seven to 10 days' time".

"I just came to give a representation that we want seven to 10 days' time. He is indisposed and Ramadan is also on," said the lawyer.

"We have given a written submission. I am sure they will consider it," he said.

Ahmed was one of the Trinamool leaders purportedly seen receiving money in exchange for a promise to dole out favours to a fictitious company in a video footage uploaded by the Narada news portal last year.

His brother and Trinamool Lok Sabha member Sultan Ahmed, who was also seen accepting wads of currency notes in the purported sting operation videos, said Iqbal Ahmed was unwell for the past one year.

"He is keeping fast. He has been unwell for the last one year. He is sleeping now. It seems he is not in a position to go today (Saturday),"said the MP.

The controversy erupted in the assembly election-bound West Bengal in March last year after the portal uploaded the videos.

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

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

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

Among others whose names figured in the FIR were Trinamool Vice President and Rajya Sabha member Mukul Roy, and the party's Lok Sabha members Sougata Roy, Kakali Ghosh Dastidar, Aparupa Poddar and Prasun Banerjee.

Also featuring in the list were state ministers Subrata Mukherjee, Firhad Hakim, Suvendu Adhikari, city mayor and state minister Sovan Chatterjee, legislator Iqbal Ahmed and former minister Madan Mitra.

IPS officer S.M.H. Mirza was the other person named in the list.

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

--IANS

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