Basu forgave ‘robber’ guards 9 years ago,but case continues

However,Basu’s confidential assistant Joykrishna Ghosh told The Indian Express that soon after the theft,the stolen money was recovered from Mondal’s residence and returned to the former CM. Basu also forgave Mondal and the two other cops. He wanted the case closed as soon as possible,said Ghosh.

“One and a half months ago I appeared before the magistrate at Barasat court as I had lodged the complaint with the police,” said Ghosh. He narrated the entire incident as well as Basu’s action to the magistrate.

Ghosh said the money had been recovered from Mondal’s residence,following which he had been suspended. However,Basu had wanted them to return to work. “Basu loved Mondal and the two others. And Mondal’s family was suffering a lot since his suspension,” said Ghosh.

Back in 2004,Ghosh had lodged a complaint with Bidhannagar North police station alleging that an SBI ATM card in the name of Jyoti Basu had been stolen from his residence. Investigation revealed that Mondal had stolen it with the help of the other two cops. The police started criminal proceedings against him.

Meanwhile,the Intelligence Branch of the West Bengal police started inquiry,as is mandatory in departmental proceedings,against Mondal. A senior official of the Intelligence Branch filed a chargesheet against Mondal and Mondal challenged it in the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT). The tribunal gave a verdict against Mondal this year. Following this,Mondal challenged the verdict in the Calcutta High Court.

The case came up for hearing today and a Division Bench of Justices Pranab Kumar Chattopadhyay and Sombudha Chakraborty directed that criminal proceedings against Mondal be completed. The court stayed the departmental proceedings as the two cannot run simultaneously.