Kolkata, February 22 : Popular Bengali actor and Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Deepak Adhikari, known by his screen name Dev, was grilled by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for over eight hours on Wednesday in connection with its investigation into an alleged cattle smuggling racket across the India-Bangladesh border.
Summons recieved and Cooperation by Actor MP Dev:
The ED summoned Dev to its Delhi office on February 15th, and he arrived on the 21st as requested. He assured reporters of his full cooperation and stated, “I said earlier that every time I am summoned, I will respond and I’m following the same.” He maintained his innocence and faith in the investigation.
This development comes shortly after Dev resigned from three committees in Ghatal, his Lok Sabha constituency, sparking rumors of his potential withdrawal from the upcoming elections. However, he later reaffirmed his loyalty to TMC, attributing his political decision to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s influence. He avoided commenting on whether the ED summons were politically motivated.
While the ED remained tight-lipped about the specifics of the interrogation, an officer confirmed they sought clarification on “a few things that have emerged from our investigation so far in the alleged cattle smuggling case.” The CBI, already probing the case, had questioned Dev for five hours in February 2022.
Opposition's Allegations:
Nandigram BJP MLA and Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari made accusations against Dev, claiming he received Rs 5 crore from the alleged cattle smuggling kingpin Enamul Haque for filmmaking purposes. Dev vehemently denied these accusations, stating he doesn’t even know Haque.
Dev was previously questioned by the CBI as a key witness in the same cattle smuggling case. His name surfaced during witness interrogations, leading to his summons. The probe focuses on alleged cattle smugglers bribing Border Security Force (BSF) and Customs officials to facilitate their illegal activities. A former BSF commandant was even apprehended for involvement.
TMC cannot win elections without Deb (Ghatal MP Deepak Adhikari) and Debi (Mamata Banerjee). pic.twitter.com/fch0ciUKYU
— Dilip Ghosh (@DilipGhoshBJP) February 9, 2024
TMC's Reaction to the MP-Actor Dev ED Investigation:
The TMC has criticized the ED summons, calling it politically motivated and a tactic to weaken their party ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. They believe the BJP-led central government is misusing agencies for political gains.
With both the CBI and ED investigating Dev, his political and personal future remain uncertain. While he maintains his innocence and cooperates with the investigations, the accusations and ongoing probes cast a shadow on his career and reputation.
The ED is expected to continue its investigation, analyzing the information acquired from Dev’s interrogation. Whether further action will be taken against him remains to be seen. The cattle smuggling case and its political implications are likely to remain in the spotlight as the Lok Sabha elections approach.
