Arjun Singh approaches High Court against CID's summon in corruption case

In a legal challenge against a notice issued by the CID, BJP leader Arjun Singh has approached the Calcutta High Court, alleging an attempt to frame him in a false case ahead of the upcoming Bhatpara by-election. Justice Tirthankar Ghosh has accepted the case for consideration, with the hearing scheduled for next Monday. This development adds a fresh twist to the tense pre-election atmosphere, as Singh, who has served as Chairman of Bhatpara Municipality and Bhatpara Naihati Cooperative Bank, claims political motives behind the CID's timing of the summons.

The CID has reportedly summoned Arjun Singh to Bhavani Bhavan on November 12, a day before the by-election, in relation to an investigation into financial misconduct. Singh, however, asserts that the ruling party is attempting to tarnish his reputation and hamper his party’s prospects. After receiving the CID notice, Singh responded publicly, criticizing the timing and claiming the investigation was politically motivated.

This case revolves around allegations of large-scale corruption within the Bhatpara Naihati Cooperative Bank, where Singh was formerly a chairman. According to sources, the accusations include financial fraud running into crores of rupees. In 2021, Singh's nephew, Pappu Singh, was also arrested for alleged involvement in fraudulent loan activity linked to the cooperative bank, including loans based on falsified documents. Singh’s nephew was jailed for six months following the charges.

Singh maintains that he is being unfairly targeted, stating, “The ruling party considers Trinamool members as ‘good’ and BJP members as ‘bad’ in their view.” Trinamool MLA Somnath Shyam, however, dismissed Singh’s claims of victimization, insisting that the CID’s actions are unrelated to the election. “I raised concerns in 2020 about irregularities in the Bhatpara-Naihati Cooperative Bank. Loans were taken based on forged documents in the name of followers of Arjun Singh. The investigation is simply a matter of due process,” Shyam stated.