Kolkata
Two Bengal Ministers get bail in cash-for-favours scam
A higher court in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata on Friday granted bail to two senior ministers in the West Bengal government and two other politicians apprehended by the country's top federal probe agency in connection with a cash-for-favours scam.
The High Court in Kolkata ordered the release of the four politicians -- serving ministers Firhad Hakim and Subrata Mukherjee, and former ministers Madan Mitra and Sovan Chatterjee -- currently under house arrest, on the condition that they wouldn't interact with the media.
"A five-judge bench has granted interim bail to the four politicians. But they have been asked not to interact with the media in the Narada tapes scandal or in any other case," lawyer Sushanto Roy told UNB over the phone from Kolkata.
Read:House arrest for 2 Bengal Ministers in cash-for-favours scam
The four politicians were placed under house arrest by the High Court on May 21, following a split in a two-judge bench.
The four were arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on May 17 for their alleged role in the Narada tapes scandal. They were sent to jail custody that day only after the High Court, in a late-night order, stayed their bail granted by a special CBI court.
On May 17, high drama unfolded in Kolkata as Bengal Chief Minister Mamata staged a five-hour dharna outside the office of the federal probe agency in protest against the "illegal" arrest of her two senior ministers in the Narada tapes scandal case.
Mamata had told the media that the state assembly speaker didn't give his mandatory consent to the arrest of the two Ministers.
Read: Cash-for-favours scam: Two top Bengal Ministers to stay in jail
While Firhad and Subrata are Urban Development and Panchayati Raj Ministers, respectively, Madan is a legislator of Mamata's ruling Trinamool Congress party. Sovan, on the other hand, is Kolkata's former Mayor. He left the Trinamool in 2019 to join India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, but quit the outfit before the assembly polls.
The two serving and two former Ministers were arrested barely 10 days after Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar approved the CBI's plea to prosecute the four accused in the Narada tapes scandal.
The Governor then claimed that his approval "is more than enough" for the arrest of the accused as he had presided over their swearing-in ceremony. "Governor accorded sanction for prosecution... being the appointing authority of ministers @MamataOfficial under article 164 and thus competent authority," he tweeted on May 9.
Read:Two top Bengal Ministers get bail in cash-for-favours scam
The Narada scandal was a sting operation carried out by a journalist that caught on tape several ministers and senior officials of the erstwhile Mamata government accepting cash bribes in exchange for doling out unofficial favours to a private firm looking to set up business in Bengal.
Earlier this month, Mamata scripted history by single-handedly pulling off an astounding victory in the assembly election. She not only defied anti-incumbency and staved off a huge challenge from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling BJP, but also decimated the Left Front. However, the 66-year-old lost her own seat in Nandigram.
Bengal witnessed the most high-profile contest in India's recently held state elections. While Mamata harped on being Bengal’s daughter, the BJP asked people to vote for "change and socio-economic development" after 50 years of Communist and Trinamool Congress rule.
Cash-for-favours scam: Two top Bengal Ministers to stay in jail
The High Court in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata on Wednesday refused to grant interim bail to two high-ranking ministers in the West Bengal government and two other politicians arrested by the country's top federal probe agency in connection with a high-profile cash-for-favours scam.
The four politicians -- serving ministers Firhad Hakim and Subrata Mukherjee, and former ministers Madan Mitra and Sovan Chatterjee -- were sent to jail on Monday after the High Court, in a late-night order, stayed their bail granted by a special court. They were arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation for their alleged role in the Narada tapes scandal.
In a related development, the federal probe agency has made Bengal's firebrand woman Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, her law minister Moloy Ghatak and her ruling Trinamool Congress party's parliamentarian Kalyan Banerjee in the Narada bribery case and sought the transfer of the hearing to another state.
"A bench of the High Court, led by the acting chief justice, has turned down the bail pleas of all the four politicians as well as the prayer of the federal investigators seeking the remand of the accused for custodial interrogation. The court will hear the case again on Thursday," lawyer Sushanto Roy told UNB over the phone from Kolkata.
On Monday, high drama unfolded in Kolkata as Mamata staged a five-hour dharna outside the office of the federal probe agency in protest against the "illegal" arrest of her two senior ministers in the Narada tapes scandal case. She had told the media that the state assembly speaker didn't give his mandatory consent to the arrest of the two Ministers.
While Firhad and Subrata are Urban Development and Panchayati Raj Ministers, respectively, Madan is a legislator of Mamata's ruling Trinamool Congress party. Sovan, on the other hand, is Kolkata's former Mayor. He left the Trinamool in 2019 to join India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, but quit the outfit before the assembly polls.
The two serving and two former Ministers were arrested barely 10 days after Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar approved the CBI's plea to prosecute the four accused in the Narada tapes scandal.
The Governor then claimed that his approval "is more than enough" for the arrest of the accused as he had presided over their swearing-in ceremony. "Governor accorded sanction for prosecution... being the appointing authority of ministers @MamataOfficial under article 164 and thus competent authority," he tweeted on May 9.
The Narada scandal was a sting operation carried out by a journalist that caught on tape several ministers and senior officials of the erstwhile Mamata government accepting cash bribes in exchange for doling out unofficial favours to a private firm looking to set up business in Bengal.
Earlier this month, Mamata scripted history by single handedly pulling off an astounding victory in the assembly election. She not only defied anti-incumbency and staved off a huge challenge from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling BJP, but also decimated the Left Front. However, the 66-year-old lost her own seat in Nandigram.
Bengal witnessed the most high-profile contest in India's recently held state elections. While Mamata harped on being Bengal’s daughter, the BJP asked people to vote for "change and socio-economic development" after 50 years of Communist and Trinamool Congress rule.
Two top Bengal Ministers sent to jail in cash-for-favours scam
Call it a twist of fate. The High Court in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata on Monday night stayed the bail of two top ministers in the West Bengal government and two other politicians in a high-profile cash-for-favours scam.
The four politicians -- serving ministers Firhad Hakim and Subrata Mukherjee, and former ministers Madan Mitra and Sovan Chatterjee -- were granted bail by a special court in the evening, more than seven hours after they were arrested by the country's top federal investigative agency for their alleged role in the Narada tapes scandal.
"But the High Court stayed the bail of the four politicians after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) challenged the order of the special court. Firhad, Subrata, Madan and Sovan have been sent to jail custody. The court will hear the case on Wednesday," lawyer Sushanto Roy said.
"The CBI has also demanded that the trial in the case be transferred to another state," he told UNB over the phone from Kolkata.
Earlier in the day, high drama unfolded in Kolkata as Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee staged a five-hour dharna outside the CBI office in protest against the "illegal" arrest of her two senior ministers for their alleged role in the Narada tapes scandal.
She also dared the CBI slueths to arrest her in the case as hundreds of her supporters thronged the federal probe agency's office and threw stones at the central security forces guarding the premises.
"The way they have been arrested without due procedure, the CBI will have to arrest me also," she said, indicating that the state assembly speaker didn't give his mandatory consent to the arrest of the two Ministers.
In fact, all the four accused were picked up by the CBI and the federal security forces from their houses in the morning.
While Firhad and Subrata are Urban Development and Panchayati Raj Ministers, respectively, Madan is a legislator of Mamata's ruling Trinamool Congress party. Sovan, on the other hand, is Kolkata's former Mayor. He left the Trinamool in 2019 to join India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, but quit the outfit before the assembly polls.
The two serving and two former Ministers were arrested barely 10 days after Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar approved the CBI's plea to prosecute the four accused in the Narada tapes scandal.
Also read: Two top Bengal Ministers get bail in cash-for-favours scam
The Governor then claimed that his approval "is more than enough" for the arrest of the accused as he had presided over their swearing-in ceremony. "Governor accorded sanction for prosecution... being the appointing authority of ministers @MamataOfficial under article 164 and thus competent authority," he tweeted on May 9.
The Narada scandal was a sting operation carried out by a journalist that caught on tape several ministers and senior officials of the erstwhile Mamata government accepting cash bribes in exchange for doling out unofficial favours to a private firm looking to set up business in Bengal.
Earlier this month, Mamata scripted history by single handedly pulling off an astounding victory in the assembly election. She not only defied anti-incumbency and staved off a huge challenge from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling BJP, but also decimated the Left Front.
Though her party swept back to power with a resounding majority of 213 seats in the 292-member assembly, the 66-year-old lost her own seat in Nandigram to her former protege-turned-rival Suvendu Adhikari by a thin margin of around 2,000 votes.
"This is Bangla's win... this is Bengal's win... this is your win. This win has saved Bengal, it has saved the culture and tradition of Bengal," she said, addressing a press meet on the counting day. Mamata had, however, made it clear in that presser only that she would challenge the result in a court of law. "How come the Election Commission reversed the results in Nandigram after formally announcing it? We will move court."
The BJP though has made major gains in Bengal, winning some 77 seats. In 2016, the party had just three legislators in the state. However, the Left Front has failed to grab a single seat this time. The Left Front ruled Bengal for 34 years -- from 1977 to 2011.
Bengal witnessed the most high-profile contest in India's recently held state elections. While Mamata harped on being Bengal’s daughter, the BJP asked people to vote for "change and socio-economic development" after 50 years of Communist and Trinamool Congress rule.
Two top Bengal Ministers get bail in cash-for-favours scam
A special court in the city of Kolkata on Monday evening granted bail to two high-ranking ministers in the West Bengal government and two other politicians, hours after they were arrested in connection with a cash-for-favours scam.
"All the four -- serving Bengal ministers Firhad Hakim and Subrata Mukherjee, and former ministers Madan Mitra and Sovan Chatterjee -- have been released on bail by the special court of the country's top federal investigative agency," lawyer Sushanto Roy told UNB over the phone from Kolkata.
Earlier in the day, high drama unfolded in Kolkata as Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee staged a five-hour dharna outside the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI)
office in protest against the "illegal" arrest of her two senior ministers for their alleged role in the Narada tapes scandal.
She also dared the CBI slueths to arrest her in the case as hundreds of her supporters thronged the federal probe agency's office and threw stones at the central security forces guarding the premises.
"The way they have been arrested without due procedure, the CBI will have to arrest me also," she said, indicating that the state assembly speaker didn't give his mandatory consent to the arrest of the two Ministers.
Also read: Two top Bengal Ministers held in cash-for-favours scam
In fact, all the four accused were picked up by the CBI and the federal security forces from their houses in the morning.
While Firhad and Subrata are Urban Development and Panchayati Raj Ministers, respectively, Madan is a legislator of Mamata's ruling Trinamool Congress party. Sovan, on the other hand, is Kolkata's former Mayor. He left the Trinamool in 2019 to join India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, but quit the outfit before the assembly polls.
The two serving and two former Ministers were arrested barely 10 days after Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar approved the CBI's plea to prosecute the four accused in the Narada tapes scandal.
The Governor then claimed that his approval "is more than enough" for the arrest of the accused as he had presided over their swearing-in ceremony. "Governor accorded sanction for prosecution... being the appointing authority of ministers @MamataOfficial under article 164 and thus competent authority," he tweeted on May 9.
The Narada scandal was a sting operation carried out by a journalist that caught on tape several ministers and senior officials of the erstwhile Mamata government accepting cash bribes in exchange for doling out unofficial favours to a private firm looking to set up business in Bengal.
Earlier this month, Mamata scripted history by single handedly pulling off an astounding victory in the assembly election. She not only defied anti-incumbency and staved off a huge challenge from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling BJP, but also decimated the Left Front.
Though her party swept back to power with a resounding majority of 213 seats in the 292-member assembly, the 66-year-old lost her own seat in Nandigram to her former protege-turned-rival Suvendu Adhikari by a thin margin of around 2,000 votes.
"This is Bangla's win... this is Bengal's win... this is your win. This win has saved Bengal, it has saved the culture and tradition of Bengal," she said, addressing a press meet on the counting day.
Mamata had, however, made it clear in that presser only that she would challenge the result in a court of law. "How come the Election Commission reversed the results in Nandigram after formally announcing it? We will move court."
The BJP though has made major gains in Bengal, winning some 77 seats. In 2016, the party had just three legislators in the state. However, the Left Front has failed to grab a single seat this time. The Left Front ruled Bengal for 34 years -- from 1977 to 2011.
Bengal witnessed the most high-profile contest in India's recently held state elections. While Mamata harped on being Bengal’s daughter, the BJP asked people to vote for "change and socio-economic development" after 50 years of Communist and Trinamool Congress rule.
India: Mamata inducts 43 Ministers into her Cabinet
Indian state of West Bengal's Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday inducted as many as 43 Ministers into her Cabinet, including 18 new faces.
The Ministers, including nine junior ministers, were administered the oath of office by West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar at Raj Bhavan (governor's house) in state capital Kolkata.
However, two of Mamata's senior Cabinet colleagues -- Finance Minister Amit Mitra and Higher Education Minister Bratya Bose -- were sworn in virtually. While Mitra has been unwell, Bose is said to be recovering from Covid-19.
Also read: Game over: How an injured Mamata won against a fully fit saffron squad
All the veterans of Mamata's ruling Trinamool Congress party -- Subrata Mukherjee, Partha Chatterjee, Firhad Hakim, Aroop Biswas, Sujit Bose, Chandrima Bhattacharya and Shashi Panja -- have found a berth in Mamata's new Cabinet.
Though Mamata allocated almost all the ministries to her new Cabinet colleagues, she has retained six key portfolios, including home and health. Mamata, affectionately called Didi, took her oath as the chief minister of West Bengal for the third time on May 5.
The swearing-in ceremony of Mamata's new ministers comes a day after the Bengal Governor approved the country's top federal investigative agency's plea to prosecute four former ministers of Mamata's government in a cash-for-favours scam.
Surprisingly, two of the accused in the Narada tapes scandal -- Subrata Mukherjee and Firhad Hakim -- are in the new Cabinet.
"Governor accorded sanction for prosecution... being the appointing authority of ministers @MamataOfficial under article 164 and thus competent authority," the Governor tweeted on Sunday evening.
The Narada scandal was a sting operation carried out by a journalist that caught on tape several ministers and senior officials of the erstwhile Mamata government accepting cash bribes in exchange for doling out unofficial favours to a private firm.
Last week, Mamata scripted history by single handedly pulling off an astounding victory in the assembly election. She not only defied anti-incumbency and staved off a huge challenge from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling BJP, but also decimated the Left Front.
Though her party swept back to power with a resounding majority of 213 seats in the 292-member assembly, the 66-year-old firebrand politician lost her own seat in Nandigram to her former protege-turned-rival Suvendu Adhikari by a thin margin of around 2,000 votes.
"This is Bangla's win... this is Bengal's win... this is your win. This win has saved Bengal, it has saved the culture and tradition of Bengal," she said, addressing a press meet on May 5.
Mamata, however, made it clear in that presser only that she would challenge the result in a court of law. "How come the Election Commission reversed the results in Nandigram after formally announcing it? We will move court."
Also read: Mamata compensates kin of Bengal post-poll violence victims
The BJP though has made major gains in Bengal, winning some 77 seats. In 2016, the party had just three legislators in the state. However, the Left Front has failed to grab a single seat this time. The Left Front ruled Bengal for 34 years -- from 1977 to 2011.
Bengal witnessed the most high-profile contest in India's recently held state elections. While Mamata harped on being Bengal’s daughter, the BJP asked people to vote for "change and socio-economic development" after 50 years of Communist and Trinamool Congress rule.
Indian actor Soumitra Chatterjee's wife dies
Legendary Indian thespian Soumitra Chatterjee's wife Deepa Chatterjee died at a private hospital in the eastern city of Kolkata on Sunday (April 04, 2021), within five months of each other. She was 82.
Deepa, also a Bengali actress and director and a former state champion in badminton, passed away at Colombia Asia Hospital in the early hours of Sunday. She had been suffering from age-related ailments.
Like her husband, Deepa began working in the Bengali film industry at a very young age. The couple had, in fact, met at a movie set and fell in love before tying the knot.
Also read: India mourns death of celebrated actor Soumitra Chatterjee
Her most prominent work is Bilambita Lay in 1970, in which Deepa played a lead role opposite late Bengali film superstar Uttam Kumar. She also acted in several other famous movies and TV shows.
Soumitra, who acted in over 300 regional Bengali films in a career spanning six decades, passed away at the age of 85 in November last year following a multi-organ failure, a month after contracting Covid-19.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had described Soumitra's death as "a colossal loss to the world of cinema, cultural life of West Bengal and India".
Also read: Legendary Indian actor Soumitra Chatterjee dies
Soumitra was the favourite of India's Oscar-winning filmmaker Satyajit Ray. He made his debut with Satyajit's Apur Sansar (Apu's Family) in 1959. He went on to act in 14 more of the iconic director's films, including masterpieces like Devi, Charulata, Ghare Baire and Feluda, a detective.
"Satyajit Ray made me what I am today. Had the director not been a great artist like Satyajit Ray, I wouldn't have been able to perform so well," Soumitra once said in an interview.
Also read: Soumitra Chatterjee put on ventilator
The actor's last big film was Sanjhbati in 2019. Apart from acting, he also directed and acted in plays and penned poetry.
Soumitra got India's top film honour, Dadasaheb Phalke Award, in 2012. He also won three National Awards and the Legion of Honour by France, the European country's top civilian award.
The couple is survived by their daughter Poulomi Basu, also a film director, and son Sougata Chatterjee.
Veteran journalist Abhijit unveils 1971 Photo Book ahead of Modi's visit
Ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit, veteran Kolkata journalist Abhijit Dasgupta has launched a "Photo Book" containing over 150 rare photographs of Bangladesh's Liberation War in 1971.
The launching ceremony was held at Kolkata Press Club with the title "Through My Eyes: The Birth of Bangladesh."
Prime Minister's International Affairs Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi and Law Minister Anisul Huq's remarks were also published in the "Photo Book".
The photos he shot during his ten forays into Bangladesh in company of the Bengali freedom fighters then battling Pakistan army.
He worked for Statesman at that time and most of his pictures shot inside East Pakistan or on the borders went out to the world through the Gamma Presse Images, the world leading photo agency at that time.
Bangladesh Deputy High Commission Kolkata releases Mujib Year song
Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata, known as the first Bangladesh mission abroad, has released a special song on Tuesday, marking the Mujib Year celebration and the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Injured Bengal CM appeals for calm
A day after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was "injured in an attack" in the eastern Indian state's Nandigram town, the firebrand politician Thursday urged her supporters to maintain calm.
9 die in Kolkata highrise fire
The death toll in Monday's deadly highrise fire in the eastern state of West Bengal's capital Kolkata has risen to nine, officials said on Tuesday.