West Bengal: Anubrata's Mandal CBI custody extended for 4 more days

ASANSOL/KOLKATA: The special CBI court in Asansol on Saturday remanded Trinamool's Birbhum president Anubrata Mandal in the agency's custody for another four days in the cattle smuggling case after the CBI argued he hadn't cooperated in the probe.
The Asansol special CBI court on Saturday remanded TMC Birbhum president Anubrata Mandal in the agency's custody for another four days in connection with the cattle smuggling case. Judge Rajesh Chakraborty directed that he be produced in court on August 24.
Mandal has spent 10 days in CBI custody following his arrest on August 11.
CBI counsel Kali Charan Mishra submitted to the court the case diaries mentioning seizures made, including Rs 16.97 crore in fixed deposits held by Mandal and his associates as well as documents from Bholebom Rice Mill. The latter indicated that the accused's family purchased 28 land parcels spread over Kalikapur and Gayespur mouzas between 2014 and 2017, when cattle smuggling to Bangladesh using the 'Birbhum corridor' was flourishing in the district.
Mishra argued that investigators needed Mandal in custody for a few more days to question him. He said the accused "didn't cooperate" while in CBI custody over the last 10 days, and remained silent even after being presented with property documents.
The CBI counsel also submitted to court that Mandal's daughter Sukanya - named as director in at least two companies and also the owner of land parcels - had declined to talk to the CBI team that went to her Nichhupatti residence to question to her on her assets as a "witness".
Earlier in the day, the Trinamool heavyweight rubbished the charges against him. "I don't have any benami property. I am fully cooperating with the investigation," he said. Taking a cue from this, his counsel moved a bail petition for the first time, pleading that Mandal was cooperating with the investigation and would continue to do so. Advocate Anirban Guha Thakurta submitted to the court that the TMC Birbhum president had ailments and should be granted bail with whatever conditions the court deemed fit.
The CBI counsel opposed the plea, stating the "influential" politician may try to sway the investigation and tamper with evidence if granted bail.
The special CBI court judge, after hearing both parties for over an hour, turned down Mandal's bail petition.
Mandal was brought to court amid tight security. Police didn't allow outsiders on the court premises, while demonstrators for and against him gathered in front of ECL guest house.
Trinamool supporters shouted slogans of "Kestoda zindabad" and "Jai Bangla", and accused central agencies of "framing" Mandal. Others from the opposition shouted "goru chor" (cow thief) when the car carrying the politician entered the court premises.