West Bengal: Suspended Trinamool MLA moves court

Kolkata, April 22: Alleging misappropriation of funds meant for central government schemes, suspended Trinamool Congress MLA Swapan Kanti Ghosh moved the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday seeking a probe by a central agency.

An MLA from Suri in Birbhum district, Ghosh in the petition has alleged that the Trinamool-run Suri municipality has siphoned off Rs 10.36 crore meant for central schemes including a drinking water project.

"I have repeatedly written to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and state Municipal Affairs minister Firhad Hakim seeking action into the siphoning off of the funds. But that has fallen on deaf ears," said Ghosh. [TMC expels former minister Humayun Kabir]

"Today (Wednesday) I moved a public interest litigation before the bench of Chief Justice Manjula Chellur seeking either the Enforcement Directorate or the Central Bureau of Investigation should probe it," said Ghosh.

The MLA who was suspended by his party on February 25 after he staged a demonstration in the state assembly protesting the alleged scam, also accused the Trinamool of trying to hush up the matter.

"Attempts are being made to cover up things; also I apprehend that there might be a tacit understanding between the Trinamool and the BJP which is at the centre. So I have moved the high court," said Ghosh.

The matter is expected to come up for hearing early next month, said Ghosh's counsel.

Ghosh had earlier raised the issue with Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu.

IANS