TMC MLA Jiban Saha sent to 14-day judicial custody amid ED probe, breaks down in Court

Trinamool Congress MLA from Bardhaman, Jiban Krishna Saha, was sent to 14 days of judicial custody by the Bankshall Court on Saturday. The court issued the order following his appearance in connection with the ongoing Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation. During the court proceedings, Saha became emotional upon seeing his wife and minor son, hugging his son and patting his cheeks before breaking down in tears.

Saha had completed a six-day ED custody on Saturday and underwent a medical examination prior to his court appearance. While being brought from the CGO Complex to the court, he denied the allegation that he had thrown his mobile phone into a pond, stating that it had slipped from his hand.

During the hearing, the ED informed the court that further questioning of Saha was required. The agency claimed that he had purchased “potato bonds” using illegal funds obtained from a teacher recruitment scam. Saha refuted these allegations, stating that all his assets were legally earned through his business activities and that he had no involvement in any corrupt practices.

Saha’s lawyer, Zakir Hussain, did not request bail, noting that other accused individuals in the case had already been granted bail while Saha continued to be repeatedly summoned to court. He also sought a reduction in the custody period, but the court rejected the request. The court confirmed that Saha would remain in judicial custody until 12 September.

Earlier on Saturday, before appearing in the Bankshall Court, Saha made a statement regarding the mobile phone incident, saying, “I did not throw my mobile phone; it slipped from my hand.” This appearance marks a significant stage in the ED investigation against him related to alleged financial irregularities from the teacher recruitment case.