A Special CBI court on Wednesday rejected the bail prayer of Trinamool Congress leader Anubrata Mondal arrested in connection with cross-border cattle smuggling scam and remanded him to 14 days in judicial custody.
Mr. Mondal was arrested by the CBI on August 11 and was produced in court after his 14 days of CBI custody ended on Wednesday. There were elaborate arguments in the Court during the hearing of the bail petition of the TMC leader. The lawyers appearing for the TMC leader sought bail on grounds that Mr. Mondal was not keeping well. The lawyers said that the investigating agency has not found any evidence against Mr. Mondal.
The lawyers representing the CBI opposed the bail and said that the TMC leader was an influential person and if granted bail he may try to influence witnesses in the case. The CBI’s counsel also argued that Mr. Mondal was involved in a “national crime” of cattle smuggling and that they have found large properties in the name of close relatives of Anubrata Mondal.
