Anubrata Mondal's guard sent to CBI custody for seven days

Saigal Hossain was booked after he reportedly failed to explain the contents of some documents related to his acquisition of property

Saigal Hossain (wearing mask) at the CBI court in Asansol on Friday.: Santosh Kumar Mandal

Abhijeet Chatterjee   |   TT  |  Durgapur   |   11.06.22  : Saigal Hossain, a security guard of Birbhum Trinamul chief Anubrata Mandal, who had been arrested on Thursday in a cattle smuggling case, was remanded in CBI custody for seven days by a court in Asansol on Friday.

He was produced in the CBI court on Friday morning but the hearing was delayed as lawyers of Asansol bar association were observing a cease-work following a heatwave-like situation there.

The CBI sought 14 days’ custody for Saigal. After hearing both sides, judge Rajesh Chakraborty sent him to remand for a week.

Lawyers objected to the hearing citing their ongoing cease-work. But the hearing started around 3pm after the judge intervened as lawyers of both Saigal and the CBI were present and ready for hearing.

Saigal was booked under Section 7/10/11 of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 after he reportedly failed to explain the contents of some documents related to his acquisition of property.

On Friday, the CBI court  issued a showcause to the CBI investigating officer for not carrying out formalities properly before arresting Saigal.

Saigal’s lawyer Anirban Guha Thakurta told the court that the CBI had summoned his client for interrogation under Section 160 of the CrPC but he was arrested illegally during the process.

Then, the judge issued the showcause to the investigating officer and asked him to submit a reply on June 17.

A large contingent of police had been deployed on the court premises since morning.

Saigal was taken back to Calcutta after the hearing.

The CBI sources said they would interrogate Saigal to know some unexplored facts about cattle smuggling as they believe that Saigal was one of the key persons involved in the crime.

Sources said the CBI would also call Anubrata Mandal again for interrogation after getting more information from Saigal in the cattle smuggling case.