Narada News CEO Mathew Samuel is unlikely to appear before Kolkata Police in connection with probe into the Narada sting operation within seven days as he has been directed by the force.
"The matter is sub-judice. I am consulting my lawyers but if you ask me for my opinion I am unlikely to appear before the investigation officer of Kolkata Police," Samuel, who is currently abroad, told PTI over the phone.
"I do not want to break the law. Calcutta High Court is looking after all the aspects of the matter and if I appear before Kolkata Police that will be a contempt of court which I will not do," he added.
On sleuths of Kolkata Police unearthing his bank accounts showing transactions with a political leader based in Madhya Pradesh, Samuel said, "Eight years ago after my father's demise I sold 1.5 acres of agriculture land in my native place (Kerala) to some real estate people. One of them was a BSP leader in Madhya Pradesh who had contested state Assembly elections and all the transactions happened through the bank.
"I want to make it clear it was not a huge amount," he said, adding, he did not know where the BSP leader is now.
"While I was with Tehelka, I used to get my salary, which was around Rs two lakh, debited to my account," he added.
The Narada News CEO also said he does not have any investments nor any life insurance and he has not inherited any property from his parents.
According to sources in Kolkata Police if Samuel fails to appear before them within seven days' time "required legal steps will be taken against him".
A city court, which had been moved by Kolkata Police, had yesterday directed Samuel to appear before Kolkata Police within seven days in connection with the ongoing probe into the sting operation.
Earlier, the force had sent two summons to Samuel asking him to appear before it and both times the Narada News CEO had requested it to withdraw the same because the case was sub-judice.
(REOPENS CAL8)
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had on June 17 ordered a police probe into the sting and had claimed that Trinamool Congress had not taken "a single penny" from anyone in the Saradha chit fund scam and the Narada sting operation.
A special investigation team under Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar was formed to conduct the probe.
The next day, an FIR was filed against Samuel who was then booked under IPC sections 469 (forgery for purpose of harming reputation), 500 (defamation), 505 (statements conducing to public mischief), 171 (G) (false statement in connection with an election) and 120(B) (criminal conspiracy).
The Kolkata Police SIT questioned TMC MLA Iqbal Ahmed and IPS officer S M Hussain Mirza, both of whom were shown on the Narada footages purportedly accepting money.
The sleuths had recorded their statements and also videographed the questioning.
An investigation into the Narada sting operation is also underway by Lok Sabha Ethics Committee, while a case on the issue is pending in Calcutta High Court.
