Abhishek Banerjee Joins ED Probe in Alleged Coal Scam, Wife to Join on Tuesday

Trinamool Congress MP and nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Abhishek Banerjee and his wife Rujira Banerjee.

(Photo: Shruti Mathur/The Quint)

Abhishek Banerjee, the Trinamool Congress MP and nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, on Monday, 21 March, joined the investigation in a money laundering case pertaining to alleged coal scam being probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Banerjee reached ED office in Delhi at around 11:10 AM on Monday, but didn't speak to media.

His wife Rujira Banerjee will join the probe on Tuesday.

The anti-money laundering agency had asked Banerjee and his wife to join the investigation on 21 and 22 March.

On Monday evening, Banerjee said he cooperated with ED without making any excuses.

"These investigating agencies have been functioning under BJP's dictatorship. Since they are failing to take on TMC democratically, they are using the central agencies to scare the opposition," he was quoted as saying by ANI.

Meanwhile, TMC general secretary Kunal Ghosh said Abhishek Banerjee has not done anything wrong and is being harrassed by the central government.

"BJP is controlling these agencies like CBI & ED. When BJP failed in West Bengal, with a vindictive attitude realised that they have been rejected by the people," he was quoted as saying by ANI.

"BJP is trying to harass our key persons with the help of central agencies, but what about Suvendu Adhikari and the cases in his name? Since he has joined BJP, the government is soft towards him, but Abhishek Banerjee who is opposing BJP has been harassed," he added.

Background

Banerjee had earlier on 6 September, recorded his statement before the ED officials. He was interrogated for around six hours. But the probe agency was not satisfied with his answer and he has been summoned again along with his wife.

In September last year, Banerjee and his wife, through their counsel, had moved a plea before the Delhi High Court against the ED summon, but they didn't get any relief. Their plea was dismissed by the High Court on 11 March.

Abhishek and his wife had sought relief on the ground that they are residents of West Bengal. However, their contention was challenged by Tushar Mehta, the Solicitor General, who was appearing for the ED. He told the court that the ED is not confined by any area under the PMLA.

This case is being probed both by the CBI and the ED. The CBI's case was lodged in November last year.