West Bengal Urban Development Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya, on behalf of the TMC, has filed an official complaint against the CBI for arresting party bigwigs like Firhad Hakim, Subrata Mukherjee and Madan Mitra in relation to the Narada sting operation that took place in 2016.

Reading the complaint filed to theWest Bengal Police Commissioner, a Times Now reporter stated, “I am constrained to bring to your kind notice some unfortunate fact that took place this morning when the whole state is fighting against the severe pandemic situation, when to save the lives of the people all steps are being taken by the state government, it is surprising that the CBI has today morning arrested three leaders of our party, namely: Shri Subrata Mukherjee, Janaab Firhad Hakim, Shri Madan Mitra, and the first two being honourable ministers.”

The letter further read, “CBI is an independent authority and is expected to act independently, however, has given complete go by to its independent character and is acting on the behest of the central government and the Governor of West Bengal Shri Jagdeep Dhankar.”

It further mentioned, “We are at loss to understand how the Governor of a state can direct CBI to arrest someone when the law of the state does not permit him to do so. In the circumstances, I on behalf of the party would request you to immediately undertake the necessary action against the CBI officers who had arrested the aforesaid leaders at the best of the PM, Union Home Minister and the Governor of the state.”

Amid lockdown in West Bengal, TMC workers had gathered in huge numbers outside the CBI office in Kolkata. Trinamool supporters carrying party flags attacked Nizam Palace, hurling bricks and glass bottles at central forces guarding the gates as state police and Kolkata Police remained mute bystanders.