After wife, CBI summons Abhishek Banerjee's sister-in-law in alleged coal smuggling case

TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee's sister-in-law Menaka Gambhir has been summoned by the CBI for questioning in relation to the coal smuggling case. Earlier, his wife was summoned as well.

The CBI has summoned Menaka Gambhir, sister-in-law of TMC heavyweight and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata's nephew Abhishek Banerjee in the alleged coal smuggling case. This comes hours after Abhishek's wife Rujira Narula was also summoned by the agency in relation to the same case.

Maneka has been asked to join the investigation on Monday. A CBI team will visit her residence tomorrow for questioning. Sources said that she will be questioned at 11 am on Monday.

CBI investigation in coal smuggling case

CBI carried out searches on Friday at 13 locations in four districts of poll-bound West Bengal in connection with the coal smuggling case. CBI raids were carried out in Purulia, Bankura, Pashchim Bardhaman and Kolkata.

The CBI raids on Friday included premises of Amiya Steel Pvt Ltd in Kolkata and Bankura and that of Joydeb Mandal, the alleged deputy of the suspected kingpin of the racket Anup Manjhi.

Investigation picks pace ahead of West Bengal polls

Banerjee is at the center of the political debate in Bengal ahead of the elections with many TMC turncoats accusing Mamata of only promoting her nephew while overlooking the state and other TMC leaders.

The assembly elections are due in April-May in West Bengal, where the BJP has launched a vigorous campaign to oust the ruling TMC that had secured consecutive wins in 2011 and 2016 under its leader Mamata Banerjee.

Abhishek Banerjee, who is a Lok Sabha member, wields considerable influence in the party and has been leading the Trinamool Congress' counter-attack.