Bengal Coal Scam: Abhishek Banerjee's Wife Stopped At Airport, Summoned To Appear Before ED On June 8

TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee's wife Rujira Banerjee was stopped at Kolkata airport from flying to Dubai as her name appears in the lookout circular in connection with the Bengal coal smuggling scam case.

Trinamool Congress national general secretary and Lok Sabha member Abhishek Banerjee’s wife Rujira Banerjee was once again stopped at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata on Monday while she came there to board a flight to Dubai. According to ED sources, Rujira’s name is in the lookout circular in connection with the Bengal coal smuggling scam case. Additionally, She has been summoned to appear before ED on June 8. Meanwhile, the TMC termed the action as personal harassment.

Rujira Banerjee, wife of Abhishek Banerjee was stopped from leaving India at Kolkata Airport by state police officials. She was flying to Dubai. The TMC alleged that immigration officials stopped her from leaving at 7 am. After being stopped, she left the airport. 

She has been summoned today to appear before ED on June 8.

In February, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seized Rs 1.5 crore from a Kolkata businessman in connection with a multi-crore coal-smuggling case, news agency ANI reported.

The BJP reacted angrily to the cash discovery, with state president Sukanta Majumdar charging that the businessman has direct ties to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

He also accused the chief minister and the leader of the ruling Trinamool Congress of being complicit in the alleged coal scam.

Addressing the media, Majumdar said, “The ED, in a press briefing, mentioned two businessmen, one of whom is Manjeet Singh Grewal alias Jitti Bhaiii. Mamata Banerjee has direct relations with him. He has been seen with Mamta and her family members on multiple occasions. The money recovered is connected with the coal scam in West Bengal."

The BJP state head requested that the ED conduct an investigation into the recovery under judicial supervision and that the identities of all those engaged in the coal scam be exposed.

Previously, on January 13, a preliminary medical report on the health of Gurupada Maji, an accused in the suspected West Bengal coal mining and money laundering case, was filed by the medical board at Safdarjung hospital.

A CBI team visited Abhishek's home on February 21, 2021, and summoned his wife Rujira and his sister-in-law Menaka Gambhir in connection with the suspected coal fraud.

Anup Majhi alias Lala, a local coal operator, is said to be the main suspect in the case.

The ED stated that Abhishek benefited from the proceeds of this unlawful trade.