After making first arrest in Narada tapes case, CBI summons BJP leader Mukul Roy

After making the first arrest in connection with the Narada News sting operation case, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has summoned BJP leader Mukul Roy for questioning. 

The CBI on Thursday arrested suspended IPS officer SMH Mirza in connection with the case. Roy, who was with the Trinamool Congress when the tapes were made, was allegedly recorded as saying that the money can be handed over to suspended Mirza.

Mirza is the first person to be arrested in connection with the sting operation case conducted by Narada news portal. Mirza was sent to five-day CBI custody by a special court in Kolkata.

The tapes, released just before the 2016 assembly elections in West Bengal, allegedly showed several Trinamool Congress MLAs and MPs accepting money in exchange for favours from Narada News CEO Mathew Samuels, who was posing as a businessman interested in investing in West Bengal.

The sting was reportedly conducted in 2014 but was released in 2016 before the assembly elections. Mirza was serving as superintendent of police of Burdwan district at the time of the sting.

A number of TMC leaders, including MPs and ministers, were allegedly seen taking money on camera.

On August 29, the CBI had questioned Mukul Roy and Trinamool Congress MP KD Singh and confronted them with Samuel. 

TMC leader Subhendu Adhikary, former Kolkata mayor Sovan Chatterjee and Samuel were earlier summoned by the CBI in connection with the case.

The CBI was directed to register a preliminary enquiry in Narada sting case by Calcutta High Court in March, 2017. The state government was also directed to initiate disciplinary action against the IPS officer.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is also probing the money trail in connection with the case besides CBI.

Several legislators and TMC leaders have been quizzed by the probe agencies so far.

(With ANI inputs)