Arjun Singh Seeks Relief from Calcutta High Court: CID to Question BJP Leader Over Corruption Allegations

Singh approached a Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court, where his appeal will be heard tomorrow,

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, November 12, 2024, North 24 Parganas : In a high-stakes legal battle, BJP leader Arjun Singh has once again turned to the Calcutta High Court, this time seeking protection from the state’s investigating agency, the CID, which has summoned him for questioning in connection with allegations of financial corruption in a Co-operative Bank. Following an earlier setback, Singh approached a Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court, where his appeal will be heard tomorrow, Wednesday. The legal community is now eagerly awaiting the outcome, as questions loom over whether Singh will receive any relief or be compelled to face interrogation.

On Tuesday, Singh filed an appeal before the Division Bench, which consists of Justice Harish Tandon and Justice Hiranmoy Bhattacharya. The Bench has allowed the filing of the case, and the matter is set to be heard on Wednesday. However, the crucial question remains: will Arjun Singh be granted protection from the CID’s questioning or be required to appear before investigators without further delay?

Singh, a former MP from Barrackpore, is under investigation by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for his alleged involvement in financial irregularities linked to the Co-operative Bank. According to sources, Singh’s name is among those implicated in the corruption allegations. The CID has summoned him for questioning, which is scheduled to take place on November 14 at Bhavani Bhavan, the state’s CID headquarters. Investigators are reportedly prepared to interrogate Singh for up to four hours, and depending on the outcome, they may call him back for additional questioning later this month.

Earlier, Singh had approached a single bench of the Calcutta High Court, led by Justice Tirthankar Ghosh, seeking relief from the CID’s summons. However, his appeal was dismissed, and the court did not grant any immediate protection. As a result, Singh will now be required to appear before the CID on November 14. It is understood that the CID’s investigation is centered on the alleged financial mismanagement and corruption within the Co-operative Bank, which has led to significant public concern.

The timing of Singh’s legal challenges is noteworthy, as the political environment surrounding him remains tense. Singh, a prominent BJP leader, has been a vocal critic of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) government, and his legal troubles have intensified political speculation. His involvement in the corruption investigation is seen by some as a reflection of the ongoing power struggle between the BJP and the TMC in West Bengal.

Notably, the issue of Singh’s political position has also caused confusion, with rumors swirling about his future role in the party and his continued influence within the BJP. These developments come ahead of the crucial by-election in Naihati, where Singh’s name has been tied to local political dynamics.

For now, Singh’s legal team is pinning its hopes on the Division Bench’s hearing tomorrow. The court’s decision could determine whether the former MP is granted relief or if the CID’s investigation will proceed unimpeded. The next few days are likely to be pivotal in the unfolding saga of Arjun Singh’s legal and political troubles, with both the public and political observers closely watching how the case develops.

As the investigation continues, questions remain about the broader implications of these corruption allegations, and whether Singh will emerge from the legal battle unscathed—or if it will further fuel the political rivalry in West Bengal.