Bharati interrogated for 2nd time in a week

Kolkata: Former IPS officer Bharati Ghosh was interrogated by the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Monday. She was earlier questioned by the sleuths on Friday as well.

Following Friday's questioning, CID officials again went to Ghosh's residence, that she had rented for the purpose of the ensuing elections, at Daspur in West Midnapore on Monday morning.

After Ghosh's name was announced by the BJP as their candidate from Ghatal, the state government had appealed to the Supreme Court to ban her from entering Bengal. Subsequently, the Apex Court passed an order last week, stating that Ghosh cannot be arrested but she can be interrogated in connection with the case in which she is an accused. The top court also directed Ghosh to intimate the state about her contact number and whereabouts.

As per the direction, CID served a notice at Ghosh's Naktala residence but as she was not there, her husband MAV Raju, refused to accept it.

Later, sleuths were informed on Thursday by Ghosh that she could not go to Bhavani Bhawan for questioning as she was busy with election work. Following the communication made by Ghosh, CID went to her rented house in Daspur on Friday. She was reportedly grilled for several hours in connection with an extortion case lodged by a businessman at Daspur police station.

CID sleuths went to Ghosh's home in Daspur again on Monday. She was again interrogated in connection with the same case. Earlier, during March this year, Ghosh was granted protection from arrest by the Supreme Court.

Following the stay on her arrest, Ghosh appeared before the Midnapore District Court, responding to a summon. CID raids were started following a case of extortion and criminal conspiracy which was initiated in Daspur during February last year after gold trader Chandan Majhi lodged a complaint.