Suvendu Adhikari joined the BJP in November 2020 and went on to defeat Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram.
Kolkata:
Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Suvendu Adhikari receives protection against arrest from the Calcutta High Court in connection with the death of a security personnel in a gunfight in 2018. It was one of the three cases against him that the court today stayed, his lawyer said.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s former aide, who shifted her allegiance to the BJP last year, has been summoned to appear before the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today. However, the 50-year-old did not present himself for questioning.
The court said that with its approval, he cannot be arrested in the present and future cases. The CID is probing whether the death of the security personnel was a case of suicide or someone else was involved.
The CID had summoned the officer on the same day Abhishek Banerjee, a senior leader of the state’s ruling Trinamool Congress and the chief minister’s nephew, was called for questioning by the Enforcement Directorate in a case of money laundering continuing for theft. of coal from one of the state’s mines.
The National General Secretary of Trinamool left for New Delhi yesterday. His wife Rujira Banerjee, who was also asked to come for questioning, refused to travel citing their two young children.
Ms Banerjee’s former transport minister parted ways with the Trinamool and joined the BJP in November 2020, a few months before the state assembly elections. He defeated the founder of Trinamool Congress in Nandigram seat, though the party itself won a thumping majority.
Meanwhile, Ms Banerjee has contested the Nandigram election results.
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