Coal Scam Fallout: Abhishek Banerjee’s Wife Rujira Denied Travel to Dubai Amidst ED Summons
In a startling development related to the coal scam, Rujira Banerjee, wife of Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee, was refused permission to travel to Dubai
Kolkata: On Monday morning, Rujira Banerjee, the wife of Abhishek Banerjee, the national general secretary of the Trinamool Congress, had to return from Kolkata airport with her children. This was due to the information conveyed to her by immigration officials that she was not allowed to travel to Dubai. Rujira is considering challenging this decision in the Supreme Court. On the same day, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) requested her presence for questioning at their office in Kolkata on Thursday at 11 am.
According to a statement released by Rujira’s lawyers, on September 5, 2022, the Supreme Court acknowledged the assurance given by the Solicitor General of India that no coercive measures would be taken against Abhishek and Rujira, and that there were no travel restrictions on them. The statement further mentioned that Rujira had traveled to the USA from October 5 to October 18, 2022, without any objection from the ED. It also highlighted that she had only been called for questioning by the ED once on June 23, 2022, and she had fully cooperated.
The statement mentioned that although it was not necessary, Rujira had sent an email to the ED on June 3, informing them of her intention to visit Dubai from June 5 to June 13, 2023, accompanied by her children. However, she did not receive any response or objection from the ED regarding her travel plans. The statement then highlighted the events of June 5, 2023, when Rujira arrived at the NSCBI Airport. Contrary to the Supreme Court orders, she was stopped at the immigration counter with her minor children and informed that she could not travel abroad. She was also provided with a copy of a summon dated June 5, 2023, directing her to appear at the ED office in Kolkata on June 8, 2023.
Neither the Immigration department nor the ED issued any immediate statement regarding this incident. It has been revealed that there is a pending lookout circular against Rujira issued by the ED.
