Trinamool MP threatens to sue Kunal Ghosh

Trinamool Congress parliamentarian Suvendu Adhikari Wednesday said he has initiated legal action against arrested party MP Kunal Ghosh for making "fabricated and politically motivated" allegations, involving the Saradha chit fund scam.

Ghosh, allegedly involved in the scam, after his arrest Saturday used a social networking site to name 12 people who could help investigators in unravelling the truth behind the biggest financial scam to hit the state.

Later, appearing on a video telecast by a Bengali TV news channel, Ghosh again reiterated his claims made on the site and gave details about Saradha's connection with those named by him.

Adhikari, who has served legal notices on Ghosh and the TV channel which telecast the video, demanded an apology from Ghosh within seven days, failing which he would file a suit of defamation.

"The allegations made by Ghosh are false, fabricated and politically motivated. He has done this intentionally out of malice and jealousy towards me. If he or his family does not tender an apology within a week, I will take legal recourse and file a case of defamation against him," Adhikari told media persons here.

Adhikari also accused Ghosh of contravening the law "as being under arrest and inside a police lockup, he was not entitled to use a social networking site".

"I have already served legal notice to Ghosh and the channel which telecast the video. I have demanded Rs.100 crore from the channel," said Adhikari.

Admitting there was "mutual hatred among them", Adhikari made several accusations against Ghosh, including his complicity in the scam.

"Taking legal recourse, I will prove that Ghosh and some media houses, guided by their hidden agenda, have deliberately spread this canard in their attempt to malign this government whose popularity has been soaring with each passing day," added Adhikari.

The financial scam erupted after the collapse of a Ponzi scheme run by Saradha Group running investment schemes (referred to as chit fund). The group collapsed in April 2013.