Narada scam: Kolkata Police converts TMC Minister's complaint against CBI into FIR

In an escalation of tussle with CBI, Kolkata Police converted a complaint filed by TMC leer Chandrima Bhattacharya into an FIR on Wednesday. Bhattacharya, currently serving as a Minister of State (Independent charge) in West Bengal government h lodged a complaint against CBI at Gariahat Police Station on May 17 for arresting Cabinet Ministers Firh Hakim and Subrata Mukherjee, and TMC MLA Man Mitra. FIR has been registered under Sections 34, 66, 166A, and 188 of IPC and 51(b) of Disaster Management Act.

complaint sought action against CBI officers for arresting  aforesaid leers at "behest" of PM Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and WB Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar. Claiming that no arrest warrant was produced, Bhattacharya highlighted that permission was not obtained from Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee. Moreover, she questioned central agency on why no action has been taken against BJP MLAs Mukul Roy and Suvendu hikari despite facing serious charges in Nara case.

She asserted, "We are at a loss to understand how Governor of a state can direct CBI to arrest someone when law does not permit him to do so. Shamelessly, Governor of state is acting as a mouthpiece of BJP and is functioning at whims of PM Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He is biased and politically motivated." 

Arrests in Nara case

Ahe of 2016 Assembly polls, some TMC leers were accused of accepting a substantial amount of illegal gratification from Samuel leing to registration of an FIR under Section 120B of IPC and Sections 7, 13 (2) r/w 13 (1) (a) and (d) of Prevention of Corruption Act. While CBI initially arrested IPS officer SMH Mirza, he is currently out on bail. On Monday morning, WB Ministers Firh Hakim and Subrata Mukherjee, TMC MLA Man Mitra, and ex-legislator Sovan Chatterjee were taken into custody in connection with this case. 

This propelled a protest from CM Mamata Banerjee who demanded unconditional release of se leers and sat on a 6-hour long dharna with her supporters outside CBI office for 6 hours. Moreover, Law Minister Moloy Ghatak was continuously present in court of Special CBI judge when accused were produced virtually. Granting interim bail to 4 leers, Special CBI court took into account fact that agency didn't ask for ir custody and SC's latest order on decongesting of prisons. However, Calcutta High Court stayed order and sent m to judicial custody till May 19.