Amit Shah issued summons in defamation suit by TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee

A Special Court in West Bengal for Ministers has issued summons to Union Home Minister about a defamation suit filed by TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee. The court instructed Shah to appear before the court in person or through a representative by 10 AM on February 22.

The criminal defamation suit was filed by CM Mamata Banerjee's nephew on August 28, 2018, against the comments made by Shah at the Yuva Swabhiman Samavesh Rally organised by BJP at Mayo Road in Kolkata on August 11, 2018. As per the case filed by Banerjee, Shah said, "... Narada, Sarada, Rose Valley, Syndicate's Corruption, Nephew's corruption, a series of corruption has been by Mamataji."

As per the case, Shah also said, "The residents of the villages in Bengal, has the money reached your village? Please say loudly. Has the money reached your village? Where did it go? Where? Modiji had sent it. Where did Rs 3,59,000 crore go? This has been gifted to the nephew and the syndicate. This has been sacrificed at the altar of corruption by the Trinamool Congress."

Banerjee had sent a legal notice to Shah on August 13 demanding an apology, following which he filed the criminal defamation lawsuit.

Responding to the summons received at the BJP office in Kolkata, BJP spokesperson Shamik Bhattacharya said, "Our legal team will decide if Amit Shah will appear before the court," as reported by Anandabazar Patrika. He also added that TMC was taking help from the courts as they can't fight BJP politically.