FIR against Narada News CEO Mathew Samuel

 An FIR has been lodged against journalist and CEO of Narada News Mathew Samuel, at the New Market police station in connection with the sting operation in which Trinamool Congress leaders were featured.

It comes after a complaint was lodged by Ratna Chatterjee, wife of Kolkata Mayor Sovan Chatterjee.

It may be mentioned that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had ordered a probe into the Narada sting issue and it would be carried out under the supervision of the Commissioner of Kolkata Police Rajeev Kumar.

She had ordered a probe after stating that the truth should come out and those involved in the matter would be punished.Kolkata Police have also formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe into the issue.

 The team will be headed by the Commissioner. Other members of the team include Vishal Garg, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) and officers-in-charge of Cyber Crime police station and Economic Offense Wing (EOW), sources said.

It has been learnt that the SIT will investigate to find out the source of the money that was claimed to be used in the alleged sting-operation against the Trinamool Congress leaders and who 

are the people behind the entire operation.

The Chief Minister had repeatedly stated that it was being done just to malign the leaders of her party and such canards affects the image of the state. Hence, a probe into the incident is essential, she said. On Sunday afternoon, Ratna Chatterjee, wife of Mayor and State Fire and Emergency Services Minister Sovan Chatterjee, went to New Market police station and lodged a complaint against Samuel.

A case under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) on charges of committing forgery for purpose of harming reputation (Section 469 IPC), defamation (500 IPC), criminal conspiracy (120(B) IPC), intending to cause fear or alarm to the public (505(1)(B) IPC) and false statement in connection with an election (171(G) IPC).

It may be recalled that the Calcutta High Court had ordered forensic test of the video footages of the 

sting operation in which Trinamool Congress leaders were filmed and the Supreme Court had also dismissed a petition seeking a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation into the sting operation.

It has been learnt that the forensic tests of the video footages have been completed. Officers of the 

SIT formed by the Kolkata Police would question Samuel to get information on various issues regarding the sting operation.

However, the date and time of Samuel’s summoning for questioning is yet to be decided, said a police officer.