The Calcutta High Court on Friday verbally requested the West Bengal government not to take any action against former Trinamool Congress MLA of Rajarhat-Gopalpur, Aditi Munshi, and her husband, Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation councillor Debraj Chakraborty, in an assets case until June 19. The court also granted interim protection to Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation mayor-in-council Tulsi Sinha Roy until June 22 in a separate case.
Court Proceedings and Next Hearing
Justice Jay Sengupta directed the investigating officer to file a comprehensive report on June 19, when the matter will be heard next. The state, represented by Additional Advocate General Rajdeep Mazumder, opposed the anticipatory bail plea of the couple, alleging that they had amassed properties worth far more than their disclosed income sources. Mazumder submitted that to avoid disclosing their wealth and to present a cleaner affidavit of assets for elections, the couple allegedly disposed of properties through benami transactions, gifts, and undervaluation. He described it as an economic offence requiring further investigation.
Allegations and Arguments
A complaint was filed against the couple claiming that with an income of Rs 40 lakh and Rs 66 lakh, they amassed properties worth Rs 100 crore in the last five years. Represented by senior advocate Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharyya, the couple argued that although the complaint was filed before the elections, the First Information Report was registered after the results. Bhattacharyya submitted that transferring property is not illegal and that no case for organized crime is made out as there is no allegation of extortion or land grabbing. He noted that the Income Tax authorities could take action for non-disclosure of income.
Separate Case for Tulsi Sinha Roy
Tulsi Sinha Roy sought anticipatory bail after an FIR was lodged on May 19 alleging extortion on hawkers. The matter will be heard next on June 15.
