West Bengal: ED summons TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee & his wife in coal scam probe

Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday summoned TMC MP and Mamata Banerjee's nephew, Abhishek Banerjee, in connection with coal scam. Abhishek Banerjee and his wife Rujira Banerjee have been asked to appear before ED office on September 1 and 3. It is important to mention that Abhishek Banerjee's wife h been questioned by CBI earlier this year ahe of West Bengal Assembly Elections. Both CBI and ED are probing case.  

Coal scam case

On November 27, 2020, a case was registered by CBI Kolkata against several leers, unknown officials of ECL, CISF, Railways, or departments and ors under various sections of IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act. ED later took up investigation and it was revealed that "large proceeds of crime" were generated and laundered as a result of illegal coal mining near railway areas. 

first arrest in case was Trinamool Congress leer Vinay Mishra's bror, who was nabbed in March 2021 from Delhi by ED. In April, ED arrested Bankura police officer Ashok Mishra over his alleged involvement as an officer-in-charge in Bengal Coal Scam. 

In February, CBI, which h been restricted from investigating illegal mining and transportation of coal, was allowed to continue ir probe by Calcutta High Court. On February 23, CBI questioned wife of Abhishek Banerjee, Rujira Banerjee at her home. summon has created a massive uproar since it came ahe of assembly elections in state. TMC h dubbed ED crackdown against its MPs as 'political vendetta.' Just before CBI was to interrogate Rujira, WB CM Mamata Banerjee h turned up at ir residence in a show of support. CBI has also conducted several raids across state in connection with case this year.