CBI summons TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee's relatives in coal scam case

CBI has summoned TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee’s in-laws in connections with the illegal coal-mining case for which even his wife was sent a notice in February.

After questioning Maneka Gambhir, sister-in-law of TMC heavyweight and Mamta Banerjee’s nephew Abhishek Banerjee, in February, the CBI has now asked Maneka’s husband and father-in-law to join the investigation in the alleged coal smuggling case.Ankush Arora, Maneka’s husband, and his father, Pawan Arora, have been summoned to appear before CBI’s Kolkata unit on March 15.Earlier in February, CBI had interrogated Abhishek Banerjee’s wife, Rujira Banerjee, and Maneka Gambhir in connection with the coal smuggling probe.The CBI had raided over 45 places in West Bengal in November last year. An FIR had been registered against Anup Majhi, Eastern Coalfields Limited(ECL), their officials and unknown others for illegal mining and theft of coal from the Durgapur-Asansol belt and later from Jharkhand.The investigation has picked up pace in the run-up to the West Bengal assembly elections. Abhishek Banerjee, Bengal MP, wields considerable influence over Trinamool Congress party and has been leading TMC’s counter-attack. ALSO READ: CM Mamata Banerjee hits campaign trail on wheelchair: Will she win voters' sympathy?