The Calcutta High Court on Friday ordered the CBI to conduct a preliminary probe into the Narada sting operation in which prominent leaders of the ruling Trinamool Congress were purportedly seen taking wads of currency notes.
A Division Bench of acting Chief Justice Nishita Mhatre and Justice T. Chakraborty asked the Central Bureau of Investigation to complete its preliminary inquiry in 72 hours.
The court also asked the CBI to lodge a FIR in the case if it felt it was necessary.
The bench told the CBI to take possession within 24 hours of all devices now in the possession of the court which were used in the sting operation.
The court gave the order after hearing three Public Interest Litigations seeking an independent probe into the controversy that came to light in March 2016.
The web portal Narada News had then uploaded a series of video footage purportedly showing a number of high-profile Trinamool leaders, including former and present ministers, MPs and MLAs receiving money in exchange for doling out favours to a fictitious company.
--IANS
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