Abhishek Banerjee appears before ED at CGO complex in recruitment case

Abhishek Banerjee appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) at the CGO Complex in Kolkata on Monday morning. Responding to the federal agency's summons in connection with the primary school recruitment corruption case, Banerjee arrived at the office at 11 am, slightly ahead of his scheduled time. This investigation primarily focuses on financial irregularities and transactions linked to the organization 'Leaps and Bounds', with which the MP was previously associated.

The central investigation agency has alleged that crores of rupees originating from the education scam were transacted through 'Leaps and Bounds'. Investigators further claim that the company was used as a front to convert unaccounted black money into white. This questioning comes at a time when the political atmosphere in West Bengal is shifting, following recent statements from Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari regarding a thorough scan of properties belonging to Trinamool leaders, including multiple assets allegedly linked to this firm.

Banerjee, who currently holds no legal protection against coercive action in this specific case, has repeatedly denied all allegations of financial wrongdoing. He has consistently termed the ongoing central investigations as politically motivated attempts by opposition forces to intimidate him through fabricated cases. The marathon questioning adds to his intense legal schedule, coming right after recent prolonged CID interrogations at Bhawani Bhavan in a separate signature forgery case, and ahead of another scheduled appearance tomorrow in a defamation matter.