KOLKATA: Mathew Samuel, chief of Narada News which carried out a sting operation against some Trinamool Congress leaders, today said in an affidavit before the Calcutta High Court that he was ready to submit unedited videos of the operation to any central agency.
Samuel submitted an affidavit before the court of Chief Justice Manjula Chellur stating that for reasons pertaining to his own security, he would like to submit footage of the 'sting operation' to any central agency.
Samuel claimed in his affidavit that the 'sting operation' was carried out by him and that he was ready to face any consequence if it was found that the footage was not genuine. He stated in the affidavit that Narada News is a Delhi-based company with four directors, including him, and that it had proper credentials.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice Arijit Banerjee had on March 22 directed the Narada News portal to submit video footage of its sting operation against Trinamool Congress leaders and file an affidavit.
The court's direction had come during hearing of three PILs seeking action against the Trinamool Congress leaders who were purportedly shown accepting money in exchange for favours in a sting video.The bench directed Samuel to disclose all details regarding their company and the sting operation in the form of an affidavit within April 5. Details sought by the court include video footage, identity of those involved in the sting, list of shareholders of the company and its directors.
Appearing on behalf of the TMC, advocate Kalyan Banerjee had claimed that the video was doctored and prayed before the court that no order be given till the state Assembly elections are over. The bench fixed April 8 as the date of next hearing.
Three separate PILs, including one by a BJP leader and another by two Congress leaders, had been filed before the high court seeking a CBI probe into the video exposing the alleged acceptance of money by Trinamool leaders, including ministers and MPs.