Suvendu warns West Bengal CM of legal action over coal scam remarks

Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in West Bengal Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday threatened to file a defamation case against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for allegedly making remarks linking him to a coal smuggling ‘scam’.

In a post on X, Mr. Adhikari claimed that the deadline given to Ms. Banerjee to respond to a defamation notice served by him had expired. “Mamata Banerjee seems to be at her wits’ end. The time given to Mamata Banerjee vide the defamation notice on my behalf has now expired, and being in a fix has prevented her from replying,” the BJP leader wrote.

Mr. Adhikari further alleged that the Chief Minister’s accusation was fabricated. “By her conduct, the Chief Minister has made it clear that her imaginary allegations pertaining to me being involved in a coal scam were a product of her insalubrious mindset,” he said.

‘Furnish evidence’

Warning of imminent legal action, he added, “Get ready to face legal consequences in court. Mamata Banerjee, now I will see you in court.”

The LoP had on January 9 served a legal notice on the Chief Minister, asking her to furnish evidence within 72 hours to substantiate her claim that he was involved in a coal smuggling case. If she failed to do so, then both civil and criminal defamation proceedings would be initiated against her, the BJP leader had said.

The legal notice, sent through advocate Suryaneel Das, said Ms. Banerjee had on January 8 and 9 publicly linked Mr. Adhikari and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to an alleged coal smuggling scam while claiming to have evidence, but did not place any material on record.

There was no immediate reaction from Ms. Banerjee or the ruling Trinamool Congress to Mr. Adhikari’s remarks.