West Bengal Cattle Smuggling Case, TMC Leader Denied Bail
The Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi has denied bail for Trinamool Congress leader Anubrata Mandal in an Enforcement Directorate case involving cattle smuggling in West Bengal. Mandal, who is the president of Birbhum district and a close ally of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, was previously arrested by the CBI in connection to the same case in July.
The court noted that the ED case is based on a Scheduled Offence (CBI case) that is currently being tried in Asansol, West Bengal. In April of last year, the trial court had taken cognizance of a chargesheet filed by the ED against other accused, including former Trinamool Congress youth wing leader Vinay Mishra, his brother Vikas Mishra, and alleged kingpin of the smuggling ring Mohammad Enamul Haque. The judge said there was enough evidence to proceed with the case, and cognizance of the offense under Sections 3 and 70 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act was taken.
