Trinamul leader Anubrata Mondal could not be taken to Delhi on Sunday as scheduled by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) as both state police and the ED refused to take responsibility for his security during the journey from Asansol to the capital.

The state police and the ED passed the buck on each other, inadvertently giving Mondal the chance to stay back at the Asansol correctional home where he is lodged and prepare another round of appeals in the apex court against his shift to Delhi for interrogation.

Mondal was supposed to be taken to the ED’s Delhi headquarters on transit remand from Asansol correctional home on Sunday for interrogation in the alleged cattle smuggling scam after a special bench of Justice Bibek Chaudhuri of Calcutta High Court on Saturday refused to stay the ED’s move.

Mondal also failed to get relief at Delhi High Court on a similar plea. Yet another attempt by Mondal to avoid going to Delhi citing “illness” failed on Saturday night after doctors at Asansol district hospital found no health complications and refused to admit him.

Sources said Asansol jail authorities approached the Asansol-Durgapur police commissionerate for a suitable police force to escort Mondalto Delhi by air from Calcutta. The ED also approached the state police for arrangements during Mondal’s journey on transit remand. “But the state police refused, stating it was neither their job nor responsibility,” said a source.

Asansol jail authorities reportedly emailed the ED about the developments and sought central protection. However, the ED refused to take onus, echoing the reason given by Bengal police.

Sources said the ED would approach the special court of the CBI in Asansol on Monday, seeking an order that Bengal police take Mondal to Delhi. Asansol jail authorities will also inform the court about the situation.

Sources said amid all this, Mondal was preparing to move the Supreme Court for a stay on his Delhi move.