Statement of TMC MLA recorded in connection with Narada probe

Kolkata Police today recorded statement of Trinamool Congress MLA Iqbal Ahmed in connection with its probe into the Narada sting operation.
According to a senior officer, Iqbal during two-hour-long grilling gave name of one Tajdar Mirza, who had introduced him to Narada News CEO Mathew Samuel.
"He (Iqbal) even denied knowing Samuel ever. He said that one Tajdar Mirza had brought the Narada News CEO to him," the IPS officer said.
Kolkata Police sleuths were trying to establish the identity of Mirza, who the officer said, could be Iqbal's driver.
Iqbal, the younger brother of TMC MP Sultan Ahmed, was purportedly shown accepting money in a controversial Narada sting tapes.

Another top source in Kolkata Police said the third summon to Narada News CEO is likely to be sent in another couple of days' time.

"And even after that Samuel fails to turn up there is a big possibility of issuance of arrest warrant against him," the source said.
Kolkata Police sleuths had last week questioned IPS officer S M Hussain Mirza twice in connection with the investigation into the sting operation.
Mirza's statements were recorded and video graphed.
On June 17, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had ordered a probe by police into the sting operation and had claimed her party had not taken "a single penny" from anyone in the Saradha chit fund scam and the Narada sting operation.

A Special Investigation Team under Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar was formed to conduct the probe.
The next day, Kolkata Mayor and Minister Sovan Chattopadhyay's wife Ratna filed a complaint against Narada News CEO Mathew Samuel, who was then booked under IPC sections 469 (forgery for purpose of harming reputation), 500 (defamation), 505 (statements conducing to public mischief), 171 (G) (false statement in connection with an election) and 120(B) (criminal conspiracy).
An investigation into the Narada sting operation is on by the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee, while a case on the issue is pending in the Calcutta High Court.