Coal scam: Can’t travel to Delhi amid pandemic, TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee’s wife tells ED

Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee’s wife Rujira Banerjee on Wednesday told the Enforcement Directorate that she could not travel to New Delhi during the pandemic and asked the agency to let her appear for questioning in their Kolkata office, PTI reported.

Rujira Banerjee was summoned to the New Delhi office on Wednesday for questioning in a money laundering case. Abhishek Banerjee will be questioned on September 6.

“I am a mother of two infants and travelling to New Delhi physically [and] alone in the midst of the pandemic will put my and the lives of my children at grave risk,” she said. “It would be convenient to me if you consider asking me to appear in Kolkata since your organisation has its office in Kolkata and I reside in Kolkata too.”

She added: “Besides, as per my understanding, the alleged cause of action of the subject matter of your inquiry too arises out of West Bengal. You may communicate your decision. I assure you every cooperation from my side.”

The case pertains to illegal mining and theft of coal from leasehold mines of Eastern Coalfield Limited in West Bengal’s Kunustoria and Kajora areas, and involves the embezzlement of thousands of crores of rupees. The smuggled coal was reportedly sold in the…

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