When Narada cried ‘graft’, Trinamool claimed ‘hoax’

THE NARADA tapes were broadcast three weeks before West Bengal Assembly elections in 2016. It was a purported sting operation by Narada News that allegedly showed around a dozen ruling TMC leaders accepting “bribes” from a fictitious company.

The sting had little impact on the outcome of the election, with TMC returning to power and many of the leaders purportedly shown in the video being re-elected. The Opposition, however, has consistently asked for a probe into the case.

The case involves six Lok Sabha MPS, three top state ministers and the Kolkata mayor, all purportedly seen accepting money on behalf of the party or directing the firm’s representatives to their contacts.

The TMC had claimed then that the tapes were doctored. However, CFSL in Chandigarh confirmed that the Narada tapes were genuine. The party then claimed the money was donations and not bribes.

CM Mamata Banerjee had said, “This is a blueprint (for targeting the TMC). Foreign money is involved in this. There are credibility issues with the man who is behind this operation (Narada News CEO Mathew Samuel). But we will not let it pass. We will demand a probe into the origin of the sting operation. We will get to the bottom of it. We will fight this lie politically.”

Mamata began an investigation into the tapes and consequently an FIR was lodged against Narada News CEO Mathew Samuel in June, on a complaint filed by Ratna, wife of Fire and Emergency Services Minister Sovan Chatterjee.

In 2016, three PILS were filed in the Calcutta High Court seeking a probe by the CBI and ED.

In February 2017, Kolkata Police searched the Delhi residence and office of Samuel in a “separate” case. Samuel said he was being harassed for “unearthing the dishonesty” in Bengal.

On Friday, High Court Acting Chief Justice Nishita Mhatre and Justice T Chakraborty asked the CBI to complete a preliminary inquiry in 72 hours and file an FIR, if necessary. They also observed that it was because a senior police officer was involved in the case that they had to ask the CBI to investigate.

“Everyone knows that the sting was published from the BJP office. We are going to higher court against the High Court order on #Narada sting operation,” Mamata tweeted.