Fir registered against 13 Trinamool leaders in Narada sting case

KOLKATA: In a major setback to Trinamool Congress, the anti-corruption branch of Central Bureau of Investigation ( CBI) has registered an FIR against 13 of its senior party members in connection with Narada sting operation case.

At least six MPs of Trinamool Congress and four ministers of Mamata Banerjee’s Cabinet have been accused of accepting bribe. According to CBI sources, the accused persons were booked under the sections of criminal conspiracy and appropriate sections of anti-corruption act.

The CBI in a statement said, “The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered a case against certain Members of Parliament; Members of Legislative Assembly/Ministers; then MP/then MLA and a Police Officer of West Bengal on conclusion of the Preliminary Enquiry initiated by it, in compliance of the Order dated 17.3.2017 of the Hon’ble High Court at Calcutta.”

It added, “The Hon’ble High Court at Calcutta had directed CBI to conduct a Preliminary Enquiry and conclude it within 72 hours, after taking over the custody of the devices of Sting Operation and CFSL reports. The Hon’ble High Court also directed CBI to ascertain whether respondent of the aforesaid WP No. 5243 (W) of 2016 had indulged in corrupt practices in the video footages of the sting operation and further mentioned in its order that depending upon the result of the enquiry, CBI shall forthwith register an FIR in respect of the alleged crimes and proceed to investigate the same in accordance with law.”