Are Trinamool MLAs Facing Threats from Fake CBI and ED Officials?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Kolkata, Nov 4 (NationPress) Three Trinamool Congress MLAs have raised concerns that they are facing threats of arrest under the guise of central investigation agencies. According to sources within the Trinamool Congress, all three have submitted a formal complaint to the police on Tuesday.
It has been reported that these three public representatives were deceived into being extorted for money through calls from Mumbai, impersonating Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials. They were reportedly threatened with arrest when they did not comply with the extortion attempt. The police are currently conducting an investigation following the filing of an FIR.
Sources indicate that Gosaba MLA Subrata Mandal, Baruipur Purba MLA Bivas Sardar, and Sonarpur Uttar MLA Firdousi Begum received such threats via phone calls from various locations in Maharashtra, particularly Mumbai.
In his complaint submitted to the Baruipur district police, Bivas Sardar mentioned that he was coerced to transfer a substantial amount of money after receiving a call from someone claiming to be from the CBI office in Mumbai. When he refused to comply, he was presented with falsified bank transaction records suggesting he had transferred Rs 3 crore to a figure named Sadaqat Khan, allegedly linked with a militant group.
Additionally, it was claimed that the MLA could face arrest for this supposed crime. Sardar stated that these accusations are entirely fabricated. "The ED and CBI are conspiring to unjustly accuse me of sedition and damage my reputation. I have lodged a complaint with the police," he asserted.
Likewise, Firdousi Begum and Subrata Mandal reported receiving deceptive calls and emails impersonating the CBI and ED. The MLAs expressed that they have been falsely accused of engaging in immoral activities and threatened with wrongful charges. Consequently, all three MLAs from the South 24 Parganas district have filed an FIR with the police.
"We have received complaints from the MLAs, and we are investigating the matter. An inquiry has begun based on their reports," stated a senior official from the Baruipur police district.
The Trinamool Congress has consistently accused the BJP-led government at the Centre of wielding central investigation agencies against their party members as a means of political retribution. The ruling party believes that the allegations made by the trio are indicative of this ongoing conspiracy.