CBI arrests Trinamool leader Anubrata Mondal in cow smuggling case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Birbhum Trinamool Congress president Anubrata Mondal on Thursday afternoon following his non-cooperation in connection with the investigation into the multi-crore cattle smuggling case. Mondal was produced before a special CBI court in Asansol, where he was remanded to ten-day CBI custody. Mondal had skipped CBI summons for the ninth time on Wednesday citing illhealth. He was summoned 10 times but appeared before CBI only once.

The CBI said that “the accused was consistently avoiding CBI’s summons for a long time and had not been cooperating with the CBI investigation into the case.” The CBI lawyer claimed that there were huge amounts of money in Mondal's bank accounts and the source of this money is under the scanner.

Anubrata Mondal’s lawyer said, “We have not appealed for bail plea considering public perception. Mondal has told the court that he has breathing trouble, fistula, pressure, sugar and kidney problems.”

CBI officials reached Mondal’s Bolpur residence on Thursday morning with a huge contingent of around 100 central armed forces personnel and detained him after almost an hour-long interrogation. High drama unveiled as Mondal, known as ‘Kesto’, reportedly did not sign the arrest memo at his residence and took refuge in his prayer room.