Babul Supriyo Named in Rose Valley Scam by Trinamool MP Tapas Paul

Babul Supriyo is considering taking legal action against the accusations.

Akriti Paracer
India
Updated:
Singer-turned-politician Babul Supriyo said Bongo is an instrument that is played, and therefore cannot be used as the state’s name. (Photo: IANS)
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Singer-turned-politician Babul Supriyo said Bongo is an instrument that is played, and therefore cannot be used as the state’s name. (Photo: IANS)
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Tapas Paul, a Trinamool MP on Sunday named Union Minister Babul Supriyo in the Rose Valley Scam, according to a Times of India report.

He was very close to Kundu (Rose Valley boss).
Tapas Paul

Supriyo’s response was that he was contemplating legal action.

I have asked TV channels to provide me the footage where he and his wife have named me. I already have some and based on those, I have instructed my lawyers to immediately explore the options for a stringent defamation case. Whatever Derek posted on Twitter or Didi said (though from the CM’s chair) are political accusations, a very cliched behaviour by politicians. I have to take that in my stride, but saying things while in CBI custody is a pretty serious misdemeanour.
Babul Supriyo

CBI officials obtained new leads on investments in Tollywood and connections of those in the industry with the Rose Valley scam. Paul also reportedly mentioned an actress and a director who frequented the Rose Valley Sector 5 office.

Paul told the investigators that three years ago, he flew to Goa with the two people he named , while Rose Valley had purchased their tickets. The boss, Gautam Kundu reportedly met the three in Goa along with another actor “close to Trinamool Congress”. Paul also claimed that Kundu’s co-passengers on foreign trips would reveal new links.

Paul had many new names to give to reporters on Sunday.

I am absolutely not guilty... Many new names will come up... Everything will be proved eventually.

A relative of Paul’s has also come under the investigators’ radar, who got a job at Rose Valley after being recommended by him.

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Kundu and Paul’s relationship had soured in the past few years, according to CBI sources.

Though Paul had resigned as a member of the board of directors, he used to frequent Kundu’s office. After they had a tiff over investment in a film in 2014, Kundu stopped taking Paul’s calls.
CBI Officer

Tapas’ wife Nandini spoke against all charges being levied against him.

He has never done anything illegal. He was a director of the company for five-and-a-half months. They paid him in cheques. Investigators have alleged that Tapas used to take advantage of his position at the firm. What advantage Kundu can give him?

Trinamool MP Sudip Bandopadhyay’s plea to the CBI for appearing before them on 18 January was rejected.

Bandopadhyay has been summoned by the CBI thrice in the ponzi probe and has to appear before the court on 3 January, after missing his 30 December date.

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Published: 02 Jan 2017,08:25 AM IST

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