In a new development to the investigation procedure thus far adapted by the Central Bureau of Investigation in handling the Narada expose, its sleuths on Friday landed at high-profile Trinamool Congress MP Kakoli Ghoshdastidar’s house and grilled her in connection to the bribery case in which she was allegedly seen accepting cash from a sting journalist.
The doctor-turned MP considered close to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, however denied that she was actually grilled by a team of CBI officials at her Madhyamgram residence.
“I was not questioned by anyone from the CBI,” the North 24 Parganas MP said. When reminded that the three CBI officials were picked by the camera entering her house, she said she had no information regarding such development.
A dozen alleged Trinamool Congress MPs and Ministers were seen accepting wads of currency notes from a sting journalist of the Narada News who posed as a prospective investor in Bengal willing to pay for services he demanded from the politicians.
With the investigation process picking up pace, during the past fortnight at least half a dozen MPs and Ministers have either been grilled or summoned by the CBI and Enforcement Directorate in Narada and Sharada chit fund case.
Among others who have been summoned or grilled in the past fortnight are TMC MPs Saugato Roy, Sultan Ahmed, his brother MlA Iqbal Ahmed and Minister Subroto Mukherjee. Another MP Shatabdi Roy was also grilled at her residence earlier but in connection with the Sharada chit fund case.
Apart from alleged grilling of Ghosdastidar the CBI also served appearance notice on Mohamedan Sporting Club one of the three soccer giants of Kolkata with all the relevant papers including audit reports.
Iqbal Ahmed during his interrogation had claimed that he had received the money from Narada CEO Mathew Samuel on behalf of the football club. The CBI has asked the Club to present with relevant documents that would support Ahmed’s claims.