Abhishek Banerjee denied relief, ordered to face CBI-ED inquiry and pay fine

In a recent development, Abhishek Banerjee, a prominent member of the Trinamool Congress, has been denied relief in connection with allegations made by Kuntal Ghosh, an expelled Trinamool Congress leader arrested in a high-profile teacher appointment corruption case. The Calcutta High Court, presided over by Justice Amrita Sinha, upheld the previous order of Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay, stating that Banerjee must face an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

During the court proceedings on Friday, Banerjee's lawyer had requested the High Court to review the previous order and seek interim protection. However, Justice Amrita Sinha clarified that while the court's doors would remain open around the clock, Banerjee's arrest would not be stayed. The next hearing in the matter has been scheduled for Monday.

Kuntal Ghosh had written a letter to the District Judge and Kolkata Police, alleging that central agencies were pressuring him to implicate Abhishek Banerjee during the corruption case investigation. In response, the Central Agency filed a petition before Justice Abhijit Ganguly, claiming that baseless accusations were being made to defame the agency. Notably, Kuntal made these allegations shortly after Abhishek Banerjee claimed in a public meeting that the central agency was coercing arrested individuals to implicate him in the Saradha case.

Following these events, Justice Ganguly ordered a face-to-face interrogation between Abhishek Banerjee and Kuntal Ghosh.

Leader of the Opposition, Shubhendu Adhikari, alleged that the jail officer had influenced Kuntal to make such statements. Subsequently, the matter reached the Supreme Court, resulting in the case being transferred from Justice Abhijit Ganguly's bench to that of Justice Amrita Sinha.

During the hearing, Justice Sinha clarified that the Supreme Court's order only pertained to the transfer of the case and did not prevent the CBI and ED from conducting a face-to-face inquiry between Abhishek Banerjee and Kuntal Ghosh. The central agency was granted permission to investigate the matter, while Abhishek Banerjee was advised to cooperate with the investigation.

In response, Banerjee wrote a letter distancing himself from the case, asserting that he had no involvement and should not be implicated. The hearing concluded late Monday evening, and the verdict was reserved until today when it was announced.

It is noteworthy that Justice Ganguly's previous judgment not only ordered the face-to-face interrogation of both individuals but also requested the preservation of the visitors' register at Presidency Jail to determine who entered the premises following Abhishek Banerjee's public meeting. The court also instructed the preservation of CCTV footage, with all evidence to be submitted before the court.