Trinamool MP Tapash held on graft charge

Famous Indian actor and also a senior leader of Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress Tapas Paul has been arrested in connection with a graft charge.

Tapas was questioned in the Kolkata's regional office of CBI for hours by its officers before his arrest, sources have confirmed.

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Partha Chattapadhaya, a top leader of Trinamool Congress, has also confirmed the arrest of Tapas, who was elected lawmaker twice from Krishnanagar of Nadia district of West Bengal.

He was director of a Kolkata-based financial organisation from 2011 to 2012.

Officials said Rose Valley is an illegal financial organisation and Tapas used to withdraw a handsome salary from it using his political influence.

Tapas along with his wife went to the regional office of CBI in Kolkata yesterday morning. A questioning session continued till 2:00pm and Tapas failed to reply properly, said the sources. He was also grilled for two hours three days earlier, they added.

The CBI officials said Tapas' cell phone and papers were also seized.

Partha Chattapadhaya termed it BJP government's political vengeance.

“The BJP central government has taken such a dirty step to stop the Trinamool leader's movement against black money. It is nothing but political vengeance,” he said.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has demanded resignation of the prime minister, alleging that he has failed to deliver on his commitment to resolving the problems arising from demonetisation by the end of the year.