Suvendu threatens defamation over coal smuggling allegation
Times of India | 11 January 2026
Kolkata: Hours after CM Mamata Banerjee alleged that proceeds of coal smuggling had finally reached Union home minister Amit Shah via Suvendu Adhikari, the leader of opposition in the Bengal assembly sent a legal notice to the CM demanding proof of the allegation, adding, that in the absence of evidence, he would take recourse to civil and criminal defamation.
Giving a 72-hour "ultimatum", Adhikari said Banerjee had linked him and the Union home minister to an "alleged coal scam", in a "desperate attempt to divert attention from an ongoing ED investigation."
"These reckless statements, laced with personal insults, were made publicly without any shred of evidence," Adhikari said on X.
The notice, submitted through his lawyer Suryaneel Das, claimed Banerjee made "reckless, baseless and wholly unsubstantiated allegations against him."
On X, the Nandigram MLA called the allegation a "calculated and sinister design" to shift attention away from issues concerning her. He also asked the CM to share all "purported evidence" corroborating her allegation.
Banerjee had said on Friday, "They (BJP members) talk about coal money. Who enjoys it? Amit Shah does. The money is given through a traitor. Jagannath is also involved. Through Jagannath, the money goes to Suvendu, and then that money goes to Shah."
Bengal BJP vice-president Jagannath Chattopadhyay, who claimed to be in possession of a diary belonging to Anup Majee alias Lala, said a businessman named Ganesh used to carry the "ill-gotten money" to specific receivers in Kolkata.
He has further claimed that he is in possession of "interrogation reports of witnesses" and was ready to place them before the public.