BJP slams Kapil Sibal for taking up Madan's case, Cong wary

Kolkata, Aug 6: The Opposition BJP today slammed Congress leader and eminent lawyer Kapil Sibal for taking up the case of state minister Madan Mitra, who is presently in jail over alleged involvement in the Saradha chit fund scam.

Congress leaders in the state also expressed concerns over Sibal's decision to appear in favour of the incarcerated West Bengal minister in the High Court, saying it was sending wrong signals to the people.

"Kapil Sibal's fighting the case of Madan Mitra proves there is an understanding between Congress and TMC at the Centre.

That is the reason Sibal is fighting the case. Congress should explain what is their political stand on the Saradha issue," BJP state president Rahul Sinha said. The Calcutta High Court today rejected the bail plea of West Bengal minister Madan Mitra, arrested in connection with the Saradha chit fund scam.

Sibal prayed before a division bench of Justices Nishita Mhatre and Asha Arora that Mitra (60) be granted bail, but his plea was turned down by the court. State Congress leader Abdul Mannan also agreed that Sibal's taking up Mitra's case would send out a wrong message.

"When thousands of Congress workers are protesting against the Saradha scam, Kapil Sibal's fighting the case in favour of Madan Mitra is sending out a wrong message to the masses," he said. The Left Front leadership too felt Sibal's move in favour of Mitra has put a question mark on Congress' stand on the issue of corruption.

PTI