Delhi court issues production warrant for Anubrata Mondal
The Hindu
The Trinamool leader is being investigated with regard to a cattle-smuggling scam
A court in Delhi on Monday issued a production warrant against Trinamool Congress leader Anubrata Mondal in connection with a cross-border cattle-smuggling case. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had approached the court seeking that Mr. Mondal be summoned to Delhi for questioning.
The Birbhum district president of the Trinamool Congress was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on August 11 and has remained behind bars since. The ED is looking into the money laundering aspect of the alleged scam.
Mr. Mondal had opposed the ED’s move to take him to Delhi and among the lawyers who represented him in Delhi was senior counsel Kapil Sibal.
Earlier, the ED had taken Saigal Hossain, the bodyguard of Mr. Mondal and another accused in the scam to Delhi. The development assumes political significance as, unlike in various scams that are being investigated by Central agencies, Trinamool chairperson Mamata Banerjee had put her weight behind the party strongman.
The CBI had filed a chargesheet in October this year alleging that Mr. Mondal was a facilitator and beneficiary in the cattle-smuggling scam. The Central agency has flagged the fixed deposits in the name of Mr. Mondal and his family members amounting to nearly ₹18 crore and more than 50 land and property documents.
The other accused named in the chargesheets filed by the CBI include Saigal Hossain, former BSF commandant Satish Kumar, businessman Emanul Haque, former Trinamool leader Binya Mishra, and Abdul Lateef, owner of a cattle haat in Birbhum. Both the CBI and the ED have questioned Mr. Mondal on several occasions.
The development also comes at a time when Central investigative agencies are probing other scams, including the teacher recruitment scam in which former Minister Partha Chatterjee and half a dozen of officials of the State Education Department are behind bars for their alleged involvement. On Monday, thousands of jobseekers took to the streets in Kolkata seeking the intervention of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the matter. The protesters have been demanding appointment on the grounds that their jobs were given to non-deserving candidates for monetary gain.
Cricket fans in Vizag enjoyed a thrilling ODI as Kohli, Rohit, and Jaiswal delivered memorable performances for Team India.
Congress leaders, including Kharge and Gandhi, meet to address the Karnataka leadership struggle, planning further discussions.
Kerala's local body polls focus on regional issues and candidates, not a referendum on the LDF government, experts say.
A 74-year-old man and his sister lose ₹80.5 lakh in a digital arrest scam by cyber fraudsters posing as police.
Social Justice Minister honors Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on his death anniversary, joined by top officials in floral tributes and reflections.
NPCIL is to blame for storage of radioactive waste on site of Kudankulam nuclear power plant: Appavu
Tamil Nadu Speaker Appavu criticizes NPCIL for unsafe nuclear waste storage at Kudankulam, urging better solutions for public safety.
Raghavasimhan Sankaranarayanan’s AI innovation, Hathaani, blends the soul of Carnatic music with cutting-edge technology.
Banu Mushtaq discusses the power of storytelling in dismantling societal norms at the Bengaluru Literature Festival.
Sunali Khatun returns home to West Bengal after being detained in Bangladesh, highlighting ongoing struggles for repatriation and justice.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visits Israel for the first time to strengthen ties amid recent tensions over the Gaza conflict.
A study reveals rising heat amplifies health risks for women in seven Indian states, impacting physical, mental, and economic well-being.
Ghaziabad topped India's pollution list in November, with Delhi ranking fourth, according to a new air quality report.
ED, GST officers conduct check at a cardamom merchant’s godown in Bodi with CISF guards on duty