Kolkata: West Bengal BJP today claimed that West Bengal Transport Minister Madan Mitra was being given preferential treatment in jail after his arrest in connection with the mutli-crore rupees Saradha scam and threatened to move court if the officials fail to strictly adhere to the jail code.
“Why is preferential treatment being given to the state Transport Minister Madan Mitra by police? Why is he taken to court in a police car instead of a prison van? If the police don't refrain from this preferential treatment, we will approach the court seeking legal recourse,” BJP state President Rahul Sinha said today.
CBI, he said, had already moved court seeking strict adherence to jail code for the minister. “If the situation takes a major turn, Mitra can be transferred to a jail in other state,” Sinha said.
Asked about Trinamool Congress' allegation against Narendra Modi government of influencing CBI in the case, Sinha said “TMC's allegation is nothing but political. Why is TMC government not moving court against us? “There is a difference between BJP government and the (erstwhile) Congress government at the Centre. During Congress regime the PM used to call the CBI director now and then. But the PM now is entirely different and met the CBI director only once when the latter took over and paid a courtesy call.”
Mitra has been lodged in Alipore Correctional Home where he is said to be using a mobile phone, having home cooked food and frequently meeting his family and friends. The court had denied him bail and extended his judicial custody till Jan 16.
Mitra was arrested on December 12 for his alleged complicity in the scam, including conspiring with Saradha Group chairman Sudipta Sen and deriving huge financial benefits.
