ED interrogates Rujira, wife of TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee, amid tight security, delayed arrival at CGO complex

The much-anticipated questioning of Rujira Narula Banerjee in connection with the West Bengal coal smuggling case has begun, marking a significant development in the ongoing investigation.

As she appeared for interrogation, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office in Kolkata witnessed heightened security measures to ensure a smooth and secure proceedings.

Top officials from the Bidhannagar City Police were deployed at the Central Government Office (CGO) complex in Salt Lake, where the ED office is situated, to maintain law and order during the inquiry. Entry restrictions for outsiders were strictly enforced, while employees working within various offices of the CGO complex were required to display their identity cards for access.

Rujira Narula Banerjee, wife of Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, arrived at the CGO complex to face questioning, marking a crucial phase in the investigation. The specialized team of ED officials, dispatched from the agency's national headquarters in New Delhi, initiated the inquiry into the specific financial transactions that surfaced during the probe.

Earlier, Rujira Narula Banerjee had been prevented from boarding a Dubai-bound flight at Kolkata airport following the immigration department's action on the ED's lookout notice. Subsequently, she received an official notice to appear before the ED at the scheduled time of 11 am on Thursday.

While the interrogation is underway, Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha member Shantanu Basu continues to allege that the developments are driven by political vendetta orchestrated by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the central government. Basu asserts that the BJP is employing central agencies in a state of desperation, insinuating that the Trinamool Congress is unable to compete politically with the Congress.

In response, BJP national vice-president and Lok Sabha member Dilip Ghosh maintains that the time for summons and questioning has passed, and the people of West Bengal eagerly await news of any potential arrests related to the case.