CBI says Mathew Samuel not cooperating in Narada scam

Kolkata: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) says that it is facing “non-cooperation” from Mathew Samuel in the Narada scam, in which a dozen Trinamul Congress leaders were allegedly shown taking cash in a sting operation by him.

In a special report to the headquarters in New Delhi, the anti corruption branch (ACB) officers of the central agency, based in Kolkata, alleged that Mr Samuel did not share all the information with them and also misled them during investigation so far, say sources.

The report is undergoing scrutiny by the legal wing of the CBI before the next course of investigation is decided, sources revealed.

The ACB officers’ move came after CBI special director Rakesh Asthana recently visited the Kolkata office and held a meeting with them to review the status of all major cases including Saradha and Narada.

During the meeting Mr Asthana expressed his dissasppointment over the progress in the probe in the Narada scam which has been led by Ranjit Kumar, sources added.

Before leaving Kolkata Mr Asthana called for a status report also. Sources indicated that the CBI suspects that Mr Samuel still have some unedited sting footages which he did not share with the investigating officers.

Mr Samuel however refuted the allegations of non-cooperation to the CBI. He claimed, “I never offered any non-cooperation with them. Whenever I was summoned, I appeared. I also submitted the video footages to them. I also shared the details about those who are influentials linked with the case.”