TMC MLA fails to appear before CBI

Kolkata: Kolkata deputy mayor and Trinamul Congress MLA Iqbal Ahmed, one of the key accused in Narada sting operation case, skipped his appearance before the Central Bureau of Investigation on Saturday.

He has sought a week’s time on the ground of his ill health from the CBI. On June 8, the Trinamul MLA was summoned by the CBI to appear at its office of anti-corruption branch at Nizam Palace at around 11 am.

Mr Ahmed, who is the brother of another accused and Trinamul Lok Sabha MP Sultan Ahmed, however did not turn up. Instead, he sent his lawyer who submitted a letter at the ACB office.

The letter contained Mr Ahmed’s request for seven more days to get fit enough to appear, according to sources, adding that the CBI would take a decision whether he would given the time or not.

The Trinamul MLA’s name featured in the list of accused in the FIR of the CBI as he was one of those who was first approached by Narada CEO Mathew Samuel when he came to Kolkata to conduct the sting operation on several ruling party leaders. He was also caught taking cash in one of the sting footage.