With the CID summoning him to appear for questioning on July 17 in an alleged housing scam, former minister and CPI(M) leader Gautam Deb today said he would not because of his engagements in the panchayat polls.
"I have written a letter to CID and have told them that I can't appear before them on the date as I am pre-occupied with the panchayat poll campaign. I have told them that they can come to my residence at 9:00 am if they want to question me on the day," Deb said.
The probe agency has asked him to appear at its headquarters at Bhawani Bhawan at 4 PM on July 17.
Deb had earlier appeared before the CID last month for questioning in the case.
"The chief minister is trying to implicate me in false cases. They want to send me behind bars. I can't oblige them right now. But after the polls, I will try to oblige them," he said.
Earlier this year, the state Housing department under the ruling Trinamool Congress had lodged a complaint at the Taltala police station, alleging that major financial irregularities had taken place in transactions by the Bengal Greenfield Housing Development Corporation Limited.
The company was one of the eight real estate firms with which the former Left Front government had entered into a joint venture.
"What the present government is doing is wrong. I, during my tenure as housing minister, did no wrong. Everything is crystal clear. The CAG report is there and the matter was then passed in the assembly unanimously," said Deb.
