What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
After prominent leaders of Trinamool Congress (TMC) came under the scanner of central agencies for their alleged irregularities, the spotlight has now fallen on close relatives of all-powerful Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee
After prominent leaders of Trinamool Congress (TMC), including now suspended Partha Chatterjee, Anubrata Mondal, and Manik Bhattacharya, came under the scanner of central agencies for their alleged irregularities, the spotlight has now fallen on close relatives of all-powerful Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed at the Calcutta High Court seeking investigation on relatives of the TMC supremo. Petitioner Tarunjyoti Tiwari, an advocate, stated that the property or assets of relatives of Mamata Banerjee swelled up disproportionately. Tiwari, through his PIL, demanded a probe through central investigative agencies such as Enforcement Directorate (ED) or Income Tax (IT).
Talking to The New Indian, Tiwari said, “We have filed a PIL before the honourable division bench of Calcutta High Court. The family members of Mamata Banerjee have properties worth ₹5.19 crore which they purchased at ₹1.3 crore. They also have a property worth ₹59 lakh, but it was purchased at ₹15 lakh only.” There are several properties throughout Bengal in the name of Banerjee families, Tiwari claims.
“Since 2011, the documents available in the public domain are pointing towards the absurd growth of properties of the family members of Mamata Banerjee, Hon’ble Chief Minister of West Bengal. In 2013 Kunal Ghosh, (present official spokesperson of TMC) said that Mamata Banerjee is the main beneficiary of Sharada Chit Fund and money of Sharada is lying with her.” Tiwari has asked for ED investigation for the purchased property which is disproportionate to “their income”.
During her speech on the foundation day of the student wing of TMC, Banerjee had earlier said, “Someone told me there’s a case against me. I asked what the case was about. It’s about the increase in the properties in my family…”
“Why will the case happen here? It should be in an international court. Here they will act as per the BJP. I have not taken the pension of an MP, or CM for 12 years. I even drink tea from my own money,” she said on Monday. “My mother was my only responsibility. Rest (of the family members) stay on their own. We gather during occasions such as Rakhi, Durga Puja,” she said.
Contradicting the CM, Tiwari alleged, “She stated that the family members gather only during occasions. But as per the election affidavit of Abhishek Banerjee, nephew of the CM, his address is the same as that of Kajari Banerjee, sister-in-law of Mamata, and of Mamata herself.”
“So, all three public figures belong to the same address as per the affidavit. She is claiming something but the election affidavit is showing something, so who is correct?” Tiwari alleged.
The high court had set September 6 to hear the matter.
