CBI files FIR against Trinamool leaders named in Narada sting

KOLKATA: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday filed an FIR against 13 people, most of them Trinamool Congress leaders, in the Narada sting case and slapped sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act (POCA).

CBI sources said that those who were seen accepting cash in the video have been named in the FIR. The Narada sting operation has landed chief minister Mamata Banerjee in her biggest trouble so far. Those seen in the video, telecast nationwide, are some of the most prominent and powerful in the party — Saugata Roy, Suvendu Adhikari, Sultan Ahmed, Aparupa Poddar, Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, Prasun Banerjee (all Lok Sabha MPs), Subrata Mukherjee, Firhad (Bobby) Hakim, Madan Mitra (ministers), Iqbal Ahmed (MLA), Sovan Chatterjee (MLA and Kolkata mayor) S M H Mirza (IPS officer who claimed to be taking the money on behalf of party Rajya Sabha MP Mukul Roy).

Sections 7 (Public servant taking gratification other than legal remuneration) and 13 (criminal misconduct by a public servant) of POCA were slapped against the accused. Criminal conspiracy charges of IPC (section 120B) were also held against them.

Naradanews.com CEO Mathew Samuel said, “I welcome the move. I have been saying from day one that the truth should come out.”

“The FIR is reassuring for us. It will settle many doubts in the minds of people (read delay in investigation),” remarked Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh.

CBI sources said that a special investigation team will be set up to investigate the case.