Drama unfolds in Bengal: CM Mamata dares CBI to arrest her after top TMC leaders held in Narada case

Three senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders and Ministers along with a former TMC leader were arrested by the CBI in relation to the Narada sting operation case on Monday morning.

Transport Minister Firhad Hakim, Panchayat Minister Subrata Mukherjee, MLA Madan Mitra and former TMC leader Sobhan Chatterjee were arrested by the CBI, sources in the Central agency told DH. Chief Minister Mamata Banejee arrived at the CBI’s office at Nizam Palace at around 10.50 am in Kolkata where the four are kept at present.

TMC leader and advocate Anindya Raut told journalists that the Chief Minister asked the CBI to arrest her since the TMC leaders were arrested illegally.

“The Chief Minister has said that they (CBI) have to arrest her also. There was no permission for the arrests from the court and no rules were followed. Hence the Chief Minister has said that she too has to be arrested.” Mamata has been in the CBI office for nearly 30 minutes.

Tensions prevailed when a large number of TMC workers gathered in front of the CBI office at Nizam Palace. At around 1.20 pm they started throwing stones at the CBI office. The Central forces resorted to baton charge from inside the building to disperse the TMC workers. Some TMC workers were injured.

The CBI said in a statement that apart from the four, they have received sanction for prosecution against IPS officer and former SP S M H Meerza for “having seen to have received illegal gratification of Rs 5 lakhs”. Meerza was earlier arrested and is currently on bail.

“Shri, Firhad Hakim,Subrata Mukherjee, Madan Mitra and Sobhan Chatterjee have been arrested today by CBI/ACB/Kolkata and are being produced in the Judicial court. Charge sheet against the above five accused persons against whom prosecution sanction is received is being submitted today. Further investigation of the case shall continue,” the CBI said in a statement.

Earlier in the day, Hakim, Mukherjee, Mitra and Chatterjee were detained by the CBI from their homes and taken to the Central agency’s office at Nizam Palace in Kolkata.

In a dramatic turn of events, a large contingent of Central forces surrounded Hakim’s residence in the city. While he was being taken to the CBI office Hakim said “I have been arrested by the CBI in the Narada case. We will deal with the matter in court”

CBI sources said that they are likely to file a chargesheet against the four soon.

Reacting to the development, senior TMC MP Sougata Roy said “it is a vindictive step. After its defeat in West Bengal Assembly elections, the BJP’s Central leadership instructed the CBI to take the step. We condemn the arrests of Firhad Hakim, Subrata Mukherjee and Madan Mitra. The Governor’s consent to prosecute them is also questionable because since all three of them are MLAs, the Speaker of the West Bengal Assembly is authorized to give the consent. As Hakim has said it will be dealt with in court.”

Speaker of the Assembly Biman Banerjee said “with regard to submitting the charge sheet in the Narada case the Calcutta High Court clearly asked the CBI whether they have taken the consent of the Speaker. We informed the Advocate General that no such consent was given. CBI has not sent us any letter or communication in this regard. After this the high Court gave clear instruction to take the consent from the Speaker. I don’t know why they (CBI) went to the Governor. The Speaker’s seat was not vacant at time. I was in the office. I think the Governor’s consent is illegal and arresting someone on the basis of this illegal consent is also illegal.”

The development comes days after West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar sanctioned prosecution against senior TMC leaders Firhad Hakim, Subrata Mukherjee, Madan Mitra and former TMC leader Sobhan Chatterjee.