ED summons TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee in jobs case, he says won’t appear before rural polls

The ED is probing the alleged money laundering aspect in both cases, which are simultaneously being investigated by the CBI.

The notice was served hours after Banerjee's wife Rujira was grilled by the agency for nearly four hours in connection with the coal pilferage case. (Express Photo)

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Hours after Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee’s wife was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for four hours in Kolkata in connection with the coal pilferage case, he was summoned by the central probe agency in the alleged school recruitment scam.

The ED is probing the alleged money laundering aspect in both cases, which are simultaneously being investigated by the CBI.

Banerjee, who was been questioned by both the central agencies earlier, has been asked to appear before the ED on June 14.

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However, Banerjee, who is the nephew of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and is considered second-in-command in his party, said he would not appear before the ED as he is currently on a statewide yatra – Jan Sanjog Yatra – and after that he would be busy with panchayat elections.

The State Election Commission on Thursday announced to hold the three-tier panchayat elections in the state on July 8.

“I will not be able to appear before the ED as my Jan Sanjog Yatra is going on. This yatra will conclude on June 16 at Kakdwip in South 24 Parganas district. I don’t have time to waste these 7 to 8 days. After the yatra is over, I will be busy with my party’s preparation for the panchayat polls. I will not have time to spend hours in ED or CBI office,” Abhishek said at Kaliganj in Nadia district.

“Once the panchayat election is over, I will definitely appear before the agency whenever they will call me… I am not anyone’s servant that every time I have to attend such summons,” he added.

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The Diamond Harbour MP said he would inform the ED about his decision once he gets a copy of the summon.

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