The Criminal Investigation Department of the West Bengal police on Thursday issued summons to two senior BJP leaders, national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya and MP Roopa Ganguly, in connection with the child smuggling racket that came to light in north Bengal a few months ago.
Notices have been served on both the leaders under Section 160 of the Cr.PC under which a police officer has the power to require attendance of a witness. Both the leaders have been summoned before the Jalpaiguri Kotwali police station on July 27 and July 29.
A case was lodged on February 19 and charges pressed under different sections of the Indian Penal Code and sections of the Juvenile Justice (Care and protection of Children) Act, 2015.
In March, Juhi Chowdhury, a BJP leader associated with the women's wing of the party, was arrested in connection with the child trafficking case.
State BJP president Dilip Ghosh refuted the allegations against the senior BJP leaders
“The allegations against Vijayvargiya Ji and Roopa Ganguly are false. The ruling party in the State is trying to harass our leaders because the CBI is summoning them in the Narada and Saradha scams. This is an act of revenge from State Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee,” Mr. Ghosh said, adding the party will fight the issue legally.