In a major development that could call trouble for the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the middle of Bengal assembly elections, 3 audio tapes have surfaced in relation to the coal smuggling case and money was being received (up to Rs 35 crore) by Mamata Banerjee's nephew Abhishek Banerjee every month as part of cut money via a syndicate racket.
The alleged audio tapes claim a conversation between Ganesh Bagadiya, who is said to be a close aide of one Anup Majhi (aka Lala) — an accused in the coal smuggling case — and a government official.
According to the tapes, Ganesh Bagadiya and the government official are discussing how money was being received by Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's nephew Abhishek Banerjee.
In the tapes, both Ganesh and government official are discussing about a sum of Rs 35 crore which Abhishek Banerjee used to receive every month as part of cut money via a syndicate racket.
Money to syndicate racket for every work in Bengal, claims audio tapes
The conversation in the audio tapes further claims that the coal mafia in Bengal was sending Rs 35 crore to Mamata's nephew Abhishek Banerjee every month via Vinay Mishra.
The conversation in the tape says, earlier, 15-20 crore was being sent to Abhishek Banerjee but now it is Rs 35 crore every month.
A syndicate racket is being run in the state for getting any work done, the two can be heard discussing in the alleged tapes. The tapes also claim about the bribe money that reaches political bosses.
BJP targets TMC after audio tapes surface
Reacting to the claims made in the audio tapes, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia in a presser said, "such is the audacity of extortionists that in one such meeting an extortionist who is close to Abhishek Banerjee sat close to commissioner and was making illegal demands from various people who wish to invest or undertake a legal activity."
ALSO READ | BJP cites audio tapes to target Mamata Banerjee govt in West Bengal
The contents of these audio tapes show how an "extortion racket" is being run in an organised manner under the nose of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led government, he said.
(Disclaimer: India TV is not responsible for the authenticity of the audio tapes)
