Suspended Trinamul Congress leader Kuntal Ghosh, in custody for his alleged involvement in recruitment irregularities in schools, has accused central agencies of pressurising him to implicate Abhishek Banerjee, national general secretary of the party and the chief minister’s nephew, in the case.
Ghose, who has been chargesheeted by the Enforcement Directorate, made the statement while being taken to the Special CBI-I court on Thursday.
“Era joto neta aachhe, shobar naam bol-purbok bolanor cheshta korchhe (the central agencies are using force to make me name all Trinamul leaders),” Ghosh said.
When reporters asked him whether the agencies were forcing him to drag Banerjee’s name in the case, Ghosh said: “Of course, yes.”
Ghosh’s statement outside the court came a day after Banerjee mounted a similar attack on the central agencies for having forced Trinamul Congress leaders to implicate him in the Saradha case.
Ghosh also said he was not worried about such “pressure tactics” and called himself a “dedicated member of the Trinamul Congress”.
He has been accused of money laundering and charged under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
Ghosh’s judicial remand was extended till April 27.