Shibaji Panja’s arrest makes Mamata Banerjee furious at media

KOLKATA: Arrest of the Kolkata-based businessman Shibaji Panja by the immigration officials at Kolkata airport on Saturday has embarrassed Mamata Banerjee as Panja had accompanied her to Bangladesh.

Police sources said Panja was arrested following a look out notice issued by the Delhi police on February 19 in connection with his alleged involvement in a financial scam. Interestingly, Panja and a delegation of West Bengal government left Kolkata for Dhaka on the same day when the Delhi police had issued the look out notice against him.

Opposition has come down heavily on her for selecting Panja as one of her companions for her three-day trip to Dhaka. The chief minister, however, denied that Panja was a member of the government delegation which toured Dhaka .

Trinamool spokesperson Derek o' Brien raised questions about the timing of Panja's arrest and alleged that “arrest of the businessman is a part of conspiracy against Trinamool. Panja could have been arrested any time. Why he was arrested at the airport?,” Brien said.

Mamata shot at the media persons after they sought her reactions on the Panja’s arrest. “I could also have arrested you. Be happy that you are not arrested,” angry chief minister told a TV channel reporter at the airport on Sunday.

She has been virtually at war with a section of media after saradha scam broke out.