Coal Pilferage Scam: Abhishek Banerjee's Wife Fails To Appear Before ED, Cites Current Covid Situation

The Enforcement Directorate had summoned the Diamond Harbour MP and his wife for questioning in a money laundering case linked to an alleged coal scam in West Bengal.

AITC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee (File Photo)

Kolkata: Expressing inability to appear before the Enforcement Directorate in the national capital in connection with the coal pilferage scam, Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Abhishek Banerjee’s wife Rujira on Wednesday requested the agency sleuths to instead visit her Kolkata residence while citing the prevailing Covid-19 situation.

The Enforcement Directorate had summoned the Diamond Harbour MP and his wife for questioning in a money laundering case linked to an alleged coal scam in West Bengal.

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 “This refers to summons dated August 18, 2021 asking me to appear in person in New Delhi on September 1. I am a mother of two infants, and travelling to New Delhi physically alone in the midst of the pandemic will put me and my children at grave risk,” PTI quoted Rujira as saying in her letter addressed to Enforcement Directorate Assistant Director Sumat Prakash Jain.

“It would be convenient to me if you consider asking me to appear in Kolkata at my residence since your organisation has its office in Kolkata and I reside in Kolkata too,” she added.

Rujira, who was asked to appear before the Enforcement Directorate on September 1, further said: “Besides, as per my understanding, the alleged cause of action of the subject matter of your inquiry too arises out of West Bengal. You may communicate your decision. I assure you every cooperation from my side.”

Rujira was earlier in February questioned by a CBI team at her residence in connection with the coal pilferage case.

Abhishek Banerjee, who is the nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee, has been asked to appear before the Enforcement Directorate on September 3.