'Typo' leads TMC leader's sister-in-law to ED office at midnight
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) was left embarrassed on Monday after the sister-in-law of Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee, Maneka Gambhir, appeared before it post-midnight due to a typo in the summons issued to her related to an alleged coal scam case, PTI reported. The probe agency had to issue a fresh summons to Gambhir following the error in the notice.
Why does this story matter?
The coal scam is a high-profile case involving the TMC leader and his family. The party had claimed that it's a conspiracy by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Centre since Banerjee launched a defamation action against Home Minister Amit Shah. It was stated that the CBI summoned him while the defamation case was in court and that this was done for political reasons.
What do we know about the incident?
According to reports, the ED had barred Gambhir from traveling overseas as her name was also linked to the multi-crore coal scam. Meanwhile, ED sent her with a summons to appear in a money laundering case related to the same case in West Bengal. The notification, however, said that the reporting time would be 12:30 am on Monday, September 12.
Gambhir appeared before ED after fresh notice
When Gambhir arrived at the ED office after midnight, it was shut. She was stunned and took a photo outside the office with the probe agency's notification, which said that she needed to report at 12:30 am. After 20 minutes, she departed the location. Later, the ED issued her a new summons for 12:30 pm, and she appeared before the investigation agency.
Status of the case against Gambhir
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has already questioned Gambhir in connection with the case. The Calcutta High Court ordered the ED to interrogate Gambhir at its Kolkata headquarters in August. The court also postponed any coercive steps against her until the next hearing date. The ED has already questioned Banerjee and his wife Rujira in this matter.
What is the coal scam case?
The CBI filed a case in November 2020 to probe the alleged illegal mining and theft of coal from Kunustoria and Kajoria coal fields of Eastern Coalfield Limited. Leaders of the rival BJP have repeatedly alleged the role of several TMC leaders in the case, including Banerjee. The CBI has since led several raids in connection with the case.
What was defamation case against Amit Shah?
Last year, a special court in West Bengal summoned Shah in connection with a criminal defamation case filed by Banerjee. The case pertains to a statement made by him in 2018 wherein he accused Banerjee—the nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee—of corruption.
