Bribe-For-Job Scam: ED Summons Abhishek Banerjee On October 9

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday issued a fresh summon to Trinamool Congress (TMC) General Secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee to join the investigation on October 9 over alleged bribe-for-job scam.

Banerjee was earlier summoned on October 3, however, he took to his social media handle and said that he would not be able to appear for investigation as his party will hold its first mass agitation in Delhi against the suspension of Central funds for West Bengal.

Banerjee also shared the copy of a summon letter in which Mithilesh Kumar Mishra, the ED's additional director in Kolkata, asked him to appear for questioning at his office at the Salt Lake CGO Complex at 10.30 a.m. on October 3 and said that the day coincides with that of the party's protest rally in Delhi.

The dispatch made, according to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) regulations, referenced Abhishek's company, Leaps and Bounds, making it critical that the summons was connected to the investigation of alleged bribery for employment fraud in the state education department. On August 21 and 22, the Enforcement Directorate raided the offices of Leaps and Bounds.

He wrote: "Earlier this month, the ED summoned me on a day coinciding with an important coordinating meeting of #INDIA in Delhi. I dutifully appeared and complied with the served summons. Now, today yet again they have served me another summons to appear before them on a day when the protest agitation for West Bengal's rightful dues is scheduled in Delhi on 3rd Oct. This stark revelation unequivocally exposes those who are truly perturbed, rattled and scared!"

Earlier this month, Banerjee approached the Calcutta high court with a request to dismiss the enforcement case information report (ECIR) that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had lodged against him. An ECIR is on par with a first information report (FIR).

Justice Tirthankar Ghosh provided some respite to Banerjee on September 22, ruling that the ED cannot impose any forceful measures against him unless it uncovers proof suggesting his participation in the job-for-bribe case.

The judge didn't dismiss the ECIR but declared that Banerjee could not be forcefully acted against based on it.