Abhishek Banerjee questioned by ED for over 11 hours
What's the story
Trinamool Congress (TMC) national general secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee was questioned for over 11 hours by the Enforcement Directorate(ED) on Monday. The questioning took place at the ED's office in Kolkata's CGO Complex and was part of a money laundering probe related to alleged irregularities in primary school teacher recruitment. The interrogation ended around 10:15pm after Banerjee arrived shortly before 11am.
Investigation details
Interrogation was videographed and documented
According to India Today, the ED had prepared around two dozen questions for Banerjee, with a focus on financial documents and digital records. An official was quoted as saying that the entire interrogation was videographed and documented for further cross-checking with other evidence. The agency is primarily focused on tracing the money trail, including who handled funds and how they moved across accounts.
Cooperation assured
Attempt to intimidate, weaken opposition forces: Banerjee
After the questioning, Banerjee told reporters that he had fully cooperated with the investigation and would continue to do so. He said he had appeared before central investigating agencies multiple times in the past and would do so again if summoned. The TMC leader also alleged that there were attempts to intimidate and weaken opposition forces.
Political motives
Sustained attempt to intimidate, weaken opposition forces
When asked about possible political pressure from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Banerjee hinted at political motives without making direct accusations. According to the report, which cited officials in the know, the ED is also looking into the role of intermediaries and beneficiary entities flagged during forensic analysis in connection with the recruitment scam case.
Separate case
Banerjee questioned by state CID on Sunday
The questioning by the ED came a day after Banerjee was questioned for nearly eight-and-a-half hours by the West Bengal Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in a separate case. This case involved alleged forgery of signatures of MLAs on documents related to appointing the Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly. The TMC leader is scheduled to appear before state CID officers again on Tuesday.