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News Desk: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) issued a fresh summon to TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee in connection with the a coal scam case. This is the third summon which has been issued to him. Sources said that fresh summons for questioning to Abhishek Banerjee and his wife Rujira will be issued soon.
The ED interrogation episode of Monday
After nine hours of interrogation on September 6, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee comes out of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office.
Speaking to reporters, he said “I told them everything and gave my answers in writing. I had said this before as well, if there are proofs against me, the agency should bring them out in public”
“These agencies did nothing to people, who were seen accepting money on camera because they all are associated with a political party. All this is done to keep those fighting the BJP under pressure. I understand the situation of the officers of the agencies as they are also under pressure” he added.
Challenging the saffron party “I am telling you that we will go to every state where there is BJP and fight them head on…. We will not sit back like other political parties. Our lives may be in danger, but we will not bow down our heads. We will defeat the BJP in 2024”
He also said “Do whatever you can… BJP’s tyranny will be defeated. Let the BJP pull all its might, vigour, threat and resources, mind my words, their resources are going to fall flat. Amit Shah made tall claims about crossing 200 seats but BJP was restricted to 70 seats. 25 BJP MLAs want to join us. But we haven’t taken them yet. As for those who feel that election will not happen as BJP MLAs are coming, I want to assure you in the capacity of my party’s general secretary, BJP MLAs who are coming will resign if necessary and win the by-election. If you have the courage, stop us”
Abhishek Banerjee did not cooperate: ED sources
ED sources said that Abhishek Banerjee did not cooperate with the agency. As per the source, he failed to explain the source of money which officials claim is the proceeds of crime generated in the coal smuggling case. It has also been learned that Abhishek Banerjee was also confronted with the bank statements of these firms during the probe.
ED officials said “Two companies — Leaps and Bound PVT LTD and Leaps and Bound Management Services LLP — had links to Abhishek Banerjee and his family. These firms received protection funds amounting to Rs 4.37 crore from a construction company. His father, Amit Banerjee, is one of the directors of Leaps and Bound Pvt Ltd. His wife Rujira Banerjee is a director of Leap and Bound Management Services Limited along with his father. The two companies were receiving funds from business owners in order to avoid local level syndicate issues”
The official also said “Mr. Banerjee also denied having links with Vinay Mishra, Anup Majhi and Ashok Mishra. The investigators are not satisfied with his answers. He might be called again for questioning”
