Abhishek files defamation suit against CPI(M)'s Gautam Deb

Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday filed defamation suit against CPI(M) leader Gautam Deb over the latter's "malicious and defamatory" statements in different public rallies claiming that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's nephew to be involved with activities of "fake chit fund companies".

The First Civil Judge (Junior Division) of Serampore passed an order of an interim injunction against Deb, CPI(M)'s district secretary of North 24 Parganas, restraining him from making any adverse defamatory statement and personal attacks against the MP from Diamond Harbour.

It has been submitted before the court that the comments of Deb before a gathering suggested that "Banerjee is out to defraud the general public by being an active participant in the infamous chit fund scams that have plagued the state." Deb made derogatory statements to suggest that Banerjee is cheating and dishonestly inducing common people to deliver their property or a part thereof to various chit fund companies. Abhishek Banerjee emphatically denied each and every one of Deb's comments and insinuations.

On January 15 in a public rally at Barasat Colony More in North 24-Parganas, Deb in his statement said: "Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's nephew, a Trinamool Congress MP, Abhishek Banerjee will be arrested for fake companies".

Again, in another public meeting at Salt Lake on January 17 he made derogatory statements against both the Chief Minister and the MP. Raising allegations of cheating against both of them, Deb maintained: "No one knows what business is practiced by her nephew's company. There is no hint of it in the Government records.

But most certainly investigation has to be made, as to how he and some other relatives of Mamata could become the owners of such huge properties in a span of just a few years.

Just like the TMC leaders and MP's accused in chit fund scam, CBI and ED should also interrogate Mamata and her nephew." Before filing the defamation suit, Banerjee's counsel had issued notices to Deb twice, once on January 17 and again on January 20. The notices were served urging the former minister not to make such statements and to apologise in public. But he did not pay any heed to any of the notices.