ED quizzes Abhishek in illegal coal mining case

NEW DELHI/KOLKATA: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday questioned Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s nephew, Abhishek Banerjee, for almost nine hours in its probe related to money laundering worth ₹1,352 crore in illegal coal mining scandal in the state.

The 33-year-old Lok Sabha MP, also the de facto number 2 of the TMC, is an alleged beneficiary of funds obtained by accused people in the illegal mining case, according to an earlier claim by the central agency.

Banerjee arrived at ED’s Jam Nagar house office around 11am on Monday and left around 8pm, after almost nine hours of interrogation. He was interrogated about his alleged association with the kingpin of the mining case — Anup Majhi — as well as alleged funds linked with his family members, said people aware of developments.

“I reached the ED office at 11 am. I have been questioned nonstop for nine hours. I have cooperated with them and answered all their questions to the best of my abilities. I gave them a written statement,” said Banerjee.

He accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of using agencies against its opponents. “We will fight against you (BJP) and go to all those states where you (BJP) have murdered the democracy. If BJP thinks that the TMC will be scared or will bend, get defeated due to this or will sit at home like the Congress or any other party...we will fight out,” news agency PTI quoted him as saying.

The TMC MP also said that at least 25 BJP MLAs in West Bengal are in the queue to join the TMC even though his party hadn’t accepted them. Since the TMC came to power with a sweeping victory in the recently held assembly elections, four BJP MLAs have switched sides. The BJP had won 77 seats.

“Forget about any other political party. We will give our life, but we will not sell our spine to these autocrats, these cowards who can’t defeat us politically,” he said.

The agency had claimed in a Delhi court in April this year that “Majhi assisted in transferring substantial funds derived from the proceeds of crime to Abhishek Banerjee’s close relative (wife and sister-in-law) in London and Thailand.”

An ED officer, requesting anonymity, said, “We have reliable statements and evidence on Abhishek Banerjee’s role, but investigation is on.” Outside the ED office, Banerjee said he will cooperate with the probe agencies.