CBI summons Derek O’Brien in connection with TMC mouthpiece funding

TMC’s leader in the Lower House in the previous Lok Sabha, Sudip Banerjee was arrested in January 2017 in connection with the Rose Valley scam.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has summoned Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha leader Derek O’Brien in connection with the agency’s probe on the funding of TMC’s mouthpiece Jago Bangla, the MP revealed in a tweet on Friday.

The Rose Valley scam estimated at ₹17,000 core is the biggest gonzo scan in Bengal in terms of the money involved, during the high profile Saradha scam that is estimated to involve about ₹2,400 core. (Arun Sharma/HT PHOTO)

“JagoBangla is Trinamool’s official newspaper. Publisher: Derek O’Brien. Editor Subrata Bakshi was summoned by CBI a (few) months ago to seek clarifications. Now, publisher served notice at 2 pm July 25. Trinamool Motion in RS to oppose amendments to RTI Act started at 2 pm July 25,” O’Brien wrote on Twitter at 8.55 pm on Friday.

The inquiry about Jago Bangla’s funding is being conducted as part of the CBI’s investigation into the Rose Valley ponzi scam.

TMC’s leader in the Lower House in the previous Lok Sabha, Sudip Banerjee was arrested in January 2017 in connection with the Rose Valley scam.

The Rose Valley scam estimated at ₹17,000 core is the biggest gonzo scan in Bengal in terms of the money involved, during the high profile Saradha scam that is estimated to involve about ₹2,400 core.

In January 2019, CBI officers visited the resident of septuagenarian Manik Majumdar, who takes care of the TMC office at Mamata Banerjee’s residence and is one of the signatories of Jago Bangla’s bank account to inquire from him about the source of funds of Jago Bangla.

“There are reasons to suspect that the proceeds from the sales of Mamata Banerjee’s paintings went to Jago Bangla’s fund,” said a CBI inspector who is aware of the development of the Rose Valley investigation.

He requested anonymity for not being authorized to speak to the media.