CM’s nephew arrested for assaulting cop

Akash is the son of Mamata’s brother Kali Banerjee,who lives on the same premises as the Chief Minister. In the police complaint,Akash is shown as the resident of 30B,Harish Chatterjee Street — which is Mamata’s address.

The two others taken into custody are reportedly Trinamool Yuva Congress functionaries; the fourth person is the driver of the car. The vehicle (Innova (WB06H 5686) involved in the incident is owned by a West Port businessman,Akbar Khan,who is also an active Trinamool Congress member,said a source in the police.

The police had earlier let off the four after the incident but arrested them after local Congress supporters put up a road blockade. Senior police officers are learnt to have contacted Mamata,who was in Bagdogra in Darejeeling,and reportedly gave the go-ahead for police action. Akash has been booked under sections 353 (non-bailable -assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty),341 (wrongful restraint),323,114 (abetter present when offence committed) of the Indian Penal Code and sections 122 and 177 of the Motor Vehicles Act.

The incident took place around 11.30 am near the Vidhyasagar Bridge traffic guard in south Kolkata when the Innova was allegedly approaching the bridge from the wrong side of the road. When a traffic sergeant,Subir Ghosh,asked the vehicle to stop for violating traffic rules,one of the three occupants allegedly started abusing him,saying he was the Chief Minister’s nephew.

Ghosh is said to have told the police that he was slapped and abused by Akash.

Ghosh then lodged a complaint with the Watgunj police station.

Shibaji Ghosh,special commissioner of police,said,“We have arrested Akash Banerjee,Amit Mishra,Nitish Kumar and the driver. They will be produced before the court tomorrow.”

Minister for Urban Development Firad Hakim said: “It was a minor incident. Many people do get into street brawls with traffic policemen. The incident was communicated to the Chief Minister and she directed that the offenders be dealt according to the law.”

Baban Banerjee,Mamata’s younger brother,confirmed that Akash is the son of Kali Banerjee,who is the second eldest brother of the Chief Minister.