Kolkata, Amit Sharma: Trinamool Congress leader Anubrata Mandal, arrested in the case of cattle smuggling into Bangladesh via West Bengal, is currently serving his judicial custody in Tihar Jail, New Delhi. Despite petitioning for bail in the courts several times, he has been disappointed. On Thursday also, a hearing regarding Mandal’s bail plea was held in Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court. In the court, Mandal’s advocate applied for the bail of his client citing his physical illness. Also argued that almost 14 months have passed since Mandal’s arrest. He has given every kind of cooperation in the investigation.
Will remain in jail till October 30
Here, the Central Investigation Agency’s advocate opposed granting bail to Mandal. After hearing the arguments of both the parties, the court has directed to keep Mandal in judicial custody till October 30. That is, once again no decision has been taken regarding Mandal’s bail. Like last year, this year too Mandal’s Durga Puja will be spent in jail. Apart from Anubrata, his daughter Sukanya and former bodyguard Saigal Hussain have also been arrested by the Central Investigation Agency in the case of animal smuggling. All are serving the period of judicial custody in Tihar Jail located in New Delhi. The decision on Sukanya’s bail plea will be taken in the month of January next year. This means that along with the father, the daughter will also have to remain in judicial custody for the time being.
animal trafficking case
CBI had registered a case in the year 2020 in the case of animal smuggling, in which Anubrata Mandal’s name also appeared. According to CBI, between 2015 to 2017, BSF had recovered 20,000 animal heads. These animals were being smuggled across the border. CBI had raided many places in this case. The agency had already arrested Mandal’s bodyguard Saigal Hussain. CBI had found Saigal’s assets worth around Rs 100 crore, several flats in Birbhum and Kolkata, petrol pumps, gold, silver and hero jewellery, along with hundreds of acres of land. Cow trading has been happening on a large scale in Ilambazar and Nanoor of the district. Cows are being smuggled to Bangladesh from here also.