Abhishek Banerjee’s Wife Stopped At Airport; Did Authorities Violate SC Order?

Kolkata: Rujira Banerjee, wife of Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee, was stopped by Immigration department officials at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport and denied boarding a Dubai-bound flight with her two children on Monday.

Rujira, who was detained at the airport in connection with the Bengal coal-smuggling scam, has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for questioning on June 8. She has previously been questioned by ED and CBI officials.

ED sources said Rujira was stopped on the basis of an active lookout circular issued against her, reported India Today.

Rujira’s lawyer, however, termed the action against Rujira as gross violation of Supreme Court order.

He claimed that Rujira had informed the ED about her travel plan details and a copy of her ticket a few days back.

“Though not required to intimate, still to express her bonafide, Rujira Banerjee, wife of TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee informed ED through email of her upcoming visit to Dubia from June 5 to June 13 with her children. There was no response/communication from ED objecting to such a visit which they could not have in view of the orders of the Supreme Court,” her lawyer said.

“She was stopped at immigration along with her minor kids and informed that she cannot travel abroad. She was also handed over a copy of summon directing her to appear before the ED office in Kolkata on June 8. We will be moving court as it has been a violation of SC order,” the lawyer stated.

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who is Abhishek’s aunt, slammed the authorities for their inhuman act.

“She (Rujira) was going to meet her ailing mother following protocol.. yet she was stopped from travelling.. it’s inhuman,” Mamata told media.

ED has claimed that two companies — Leaps and Bound Pvt. Ltd and Leaps and Bound Management Services LLP — are connected with Abhishek and his family. These firms allegedly received protection funds amounting to Rs 4.37 crore from a construction company through those who are accused in the coal-smuggling case.

Abhishek’s father Amit Banerjee is one of the directors of Leaps and Bound Pvt. Ltd, while Rujira is a director of Leaps and Bound Management Services LLP along with his father.