Cattle smuggling scam: TMC leader skips CBI appearance, says awaiting HC order

Senior TMC leader Anubrata Mondal skipped his appearance before CBI in connection with the multi-crore cattle smuggling scam. He claimed he was waiting for the Calcutta HC to pass an order on his appeal seeking dismissal of the notice.

Senior TMC leader Anubrata Mondal on Tuesday skipped his appearance before CBI sleuths in connection with an ongoing probe into the multi-crore cattle smuggling scam, stating that he was waiting for the Calcutta High Court to pass an order on his appeal seeking dismissal of the central agency’s notice served on him.

Mondal's counsel submitted a letter at the CBI office, which explained the reason for his decision to skip the meeting.

CBI sleuths, however, grilled the TMC Birbhum president's personal bodyguard for around five hours during the day at their office here, a source in the agency said.

Saigal Hussain was questioned about the places Mondal visited and the people he had met over the past two to three years, the source said.

The central agency had earlier grilled several persons, including Bikash Mishra, brother of Binay Mishra, a businessman allegedly involved in the cattle smuggling racket. Binay is said to be sharing close ties with some of the TMC leaders, the source added.