MP expresses ‘serious apprehension about fairness of investigation’ in illegal mining case
Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee on Friday moved the Delhi High Court against summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to appear before his office in New Delhi next week in connection with the alleged coal mining scam.
Mr Banerjee, in his petition jointly filed with his wife Rujira Banerjee, has challenged the summons order issued by the ED’s assistant director, asking for his personal appearance along with a large set of documents in New Delhi on September 21. Is.
The case arose out of an FIR registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the alleged offenses of illegal mining and theft of coal from the leasehold areas of Eastern Coalfields Limited in West Bengal by certain persons. Based on the FIR, the ED has registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR).
The couple, both of whom are permanent residents of Kolkata, claimed that the ED appeared for in-person examination in New Delhi without supplying a copy of the ECIR and without specifying whether they were being called as witnesses or accused. Both are repeatedly called for, neither indicates the scope of the investigation being carried out.
He raised “serious apprehensions about the fairness of the investigation” being conducted by the ED, claiming that the agency is adopting a “pick and choose attitude” with respect to certain individuals and is giving undue advantage and protection to the persons in collusion. .
The couple also alleged that the ED was selectively leaking information to the media with an intention to damage their reputation and encourage media trials.
Earlier this week, the ED had approached the High Court, challenging the notices issued by the West Bengal Police to its officers, according to an FIR by Mr Banerjee. The ED, in its petition, said that the notices are completely illegal. malicious, and a “counter blast” to investigate the matter.
The High Court has fixed the hearing of the ED case on September 21.
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