CBI Counsel PS Dutta says interrogation of Madan Mitra essential to unravel the larger conspiracy concerning the scam
Kolkata: A city court on Saturday denied bail to West Bengal Transport and Sports Minister Madan Mitra arrested in connection with the multi-crore rupee Saradha scam and sent him to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) custody till December 16.
Madan Mitra was produced at a local court in Kolkata on Saturday. Pic/PTI
ADVERTISEMENT
The CBI arrested him on Friday for “prima facie evidence of criminal conspiracy, cheating and misappropriation as well as deriving undue financial benefits from the Saradha group”, Mitra was presented before acting Chief Judicial Magistrate (Alipore) Kinshuk Sadhukhan amid heavy deployment of police personnel as hundreds of Trinamool Congress supporters gathered around the court premises shouting anti CBI slogans.
Pressing for his bail, Mitra’s counsel contended the arrest was illegal. “The CBI’s charges against Mitra do not stand because they are yet to produce any substantive evidence and whatever evidence is there is based on hearsay which is inadmissible in the court,” said the defense counsel Ashok Mukherjee.
Giving details about his interrogation at the CBI office in the city on Friday, Mitra said, “Everything was going fine and later joint director Rajiv Singh offered me tea. Singh said my statement is being recorded and once it is done, I may go home. Suddenly an officer came to me and said we have got a call from Delhi. We will have to arrest you,” said Mitra.
The counsel also cited his fragile health and submitted supporting documents seeking bail. Opposing Mitra’s bail plea, CBI counsel PS Dutta said the interrogation of the accused was essential to unravel the larger conspiracy concerning the scam. Seeking CBI custody of the accused for seven days, he submitted four volumes of the case diary in support.
After going through the case diary and the arguments, the CJM rejected the bail plea and remanded Mitra to CBI custody.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
