Saradha Scam: TMC MPs drape themselves in black shawls in protest against 'misuse' of CBI by Centre

Trinamool Congress Members of Parliament draped themselves in black shawls on Monday and staged a protest outside parliament in protest against the arrest of West Bengal Transport Minister Madan Mitra over his alleged involvement in the multi-crore Saradha chit fund scam.

They accused the Centre of misusing the Central Bureau of Investigation in the matter.

Similar protests were witnessed inside both Houses of Parliament with the government repeatedly saying that there was no question of the Centre indulging in political vendetta against the TMC.

TMC MP Derek O' Brien said in the Rajya Sabha, "The President of BJP is writing scripts for CBI. The agency is being used for political vendetta." Some of the MPs also displayed photographs of Sahara group chief Subrata Roy shaking hands with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Trinamool has alleged that a diary – detailing financial transactions – recovered from Roy had the name of BJP President Amit Shah. But BJP had dismissed the allegation.

TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee said, "Why has no investigation carried out against Prime Minister Modi. Picture shows he is close to Subrata Roy."

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley hit back at TMC saying, "There is no question of government or anybody being involved in what the CBI is doing. As far as the case is considered, it is monitored by the Supreme Court and there is no question for government to interfere."

The CBI arrested Mitra on Friday evening. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has criticised the BJP and the central government for allowing the arrest of Mitra.

She has described the move as a conspiracy to destroy democracy in the country. 

Also read – Saradha scam: Here's why Madan Mitra's arrest is a matter of deep concern for TMC and Mamata Banerjee