Suspension Lifted for 3 Jharkhand Congress MLAs Involved in Kolkata Cash Scam

State Congress Committee revokes the suspension of 3 MLAs embroiled in the Kolkata cash scandal, offering some political respite.

JAMSHEDPUR – A significant development occurred in the Kolkata cash scandal, involving 3 MLAs.

The State Congress Committee, led by State President Rajesh Thakur, announced the revocation of the suspension of the implicated MLAs – Rajesh Kachhap, Irfan Ansari, and Naman Vixal Kongadi.

In a press conference, Irfan Ansari expressed his gratitude towards Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and State President Rajesh Thakur for their decision.

Ever since their suspension, the MLAs had been ardently working towards having it revoked.

Notably, the trio had met with Congress general secretary Venugopal in Delhi on May 3, which set the rumor mill churning about a possible revocation.

The MLAs were earlier apprehended by the Kolkata Police with Rs 49 lakh during a checking operation.

Post arrest, the Kolkata CID had taken over the investigation.

Bermo MLA Anoop Singh had lodged a complaint against them at the Argora police station, adding to their woes.

However, in a significant relief to the suspended MLAs, the Jharkhand High Court deemed the zero FIR filed against them as illegal.

A criminal writ petition was filed by Rajesh Kachhap and others, leading the High Court to question the legitimacy of the zero FIR registered at Argora police station.

The court highlighted that this was against the guidelines provided by the Supreme Court and labeled the transfer of the zero FIR to the Panchla police station in West Bengal as malicious.

The ED had also issued summons to the trio, however, they failed to appear on the given dates.

Consequently, the ED issued summons to them once again.

MLA Anoop Singh was grilled by the ED for approximately 10 hours in connection with the case.

Afterward, he stated that the ED had treated him well during his interrogation and that he would willingly cooperate with further investigations.

The Central Investigation Agency ED assumed the investigation of this case in November, subsequently issuing a notice to Anoop Singh.

Following their arrest by the West Bengal Police, the Congress party had suspended the three MLAs amidst accusations of plotting against the Grand Alliance government of Jharkhand.

When questioned by the ED about the source of the seized money, Rajesh Kachhap claimed it to be proceeds from mining.

Despite trying to claim innocence and denying involvement in a plot to topple the state government, he could not provide accurate details about the individuals from the mining sector from whom this money was sourced.

Conversely, during his interrogation, Irfan Ansari stated his intent behind visiting Kolkata was merely to purchase a saree.

The three MLAs were apprehended in Kolkata with Rs 49 lakh on 31 July 2022.

Post their release on bail, they were ordered to stay within the confines of the Kolkata Corporation area.

This condition kept the trio in Kolkata for several days post their bail, until the court granted them permission to return to Jharkhand.