Saradha chit fund scam: TMC leader Madan Mitra's sent to judicial custody till 2 January

West Bengal transport minister and TMC leader Madan Mitra, arrested in connection with the Saradha chit-fund scam, received another setback when his bail plea was rejected by Kolkata’s Alipore court, according to TV reports.

Mitra was sent to judicial custody till 2 January, reported Times Now.

This is the third time Mitra’s bail plea was denied. On Tuesday, he was denied bail and his custody was extended till Friday.

Following a Supreme Court order, CBI arrested Mitra on 12 December. The minister was charged with conspiracy and misappropriation of funds. Mitra is considered to be Mamata’s right-hand man and his arrest made things worse for the already sour ties between BJP and Trinamool Congress.

Following Mitra’s arrest, rallies were held in Kolkata where the chief minister launched a scathing attack on the BJP.

Pulling no punches in her attack against BJP for allegedly pursuing “political vendetta” against TMC, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday charged that the CBI was being used as a “political tool” by the NDA government and was functioning as “a department of the PMO”.

“We are the only party fighting a battle against BJP, who are trying to bulldoze TMC. That (arrest of WB transport minister Madan Mitra) is political vendetta. BJP… are jealous of us (but) democracy cannot be bulldozed or imposed.

“The attitude which is displayed (by BJP) is dictatorial. TMC will not bow down before anyone, except the people of the country. This is a political fight and it will fight (it) politically and democratically. You cannot stop our voice,” Banerjee had told reporters outside Parliament.

(With inputs from PTI)