TMC leader Derek O’Brien summoned by CBI in relation to a probe on a Chit fund scam

Kolkata: TMC leader Derek O’Brien has been summoned by CBI due to his alleged connection in a chit fund scam case. As stated by the investigating agency, O’Brien will be joining the agency for the investigations in Kolkata in the first week of August.

Speaking about the matter of being summoned by the CBI, the TMC leader said, “JagoBangla is Trinamool’s official newspaper. Publisher: Derek O’Brien. Editor Subrata Bakshi was summoned by CBI a month ago to seek clarifications. Now, publisher served notice at 2 p.m. July 25. Trinamool Motion in RS [Rajya Sabha] to oppose amendments to RTI Act started at 2 p.m., July 25.”

https://twitter.com/derekobrienmp/status/1154774849245470720

The TMC leader was being summoned by the CBI before this as well in his alleged connection with the Saradha scam case. He was being associated with the matter of sale of paintings of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and was alleged that these were used to expand JagoBangla, the mouthpiece of the party. He had then met the CBI in January in Kolkata after the Parliament session. During that investigation, Ms. Banerjee’s aide Manik was also questioned by the agency.

Speaking about the CBI probe and the matter of summoning the TMC leader, an unidentified official stated that they are probing certain transactions which were being recorded in the bank accounts of the party’s [Trinamool Congress] mouthpiece, Jago Bangla. As Derek O’Brien is the publisher of the mouthpiece, he is being summoned in that connection to join the investigation and help the investigating agency with adequate clarifications.

This has also been stated that the summon coincides with the Trinamool Congress’ motion to oppose amendments to the Right to Information Act in the Parliament and hence, there might be a bit clash in the timings of the investigation.

Also read: Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien hurls ‘fact bombs’ at PM Modi