Hooghly, 01 July (H.S.): Former Trinamool Congress MP Aparupa Poddar failed to appear before Serampore Police Station on Wednesday despite being served a notice in connection with a case registered against her for allegedly obstructing police personnel during the arrest of TMC councillor Shakir Ali.

The police had issued the notice on Tuesday night, asking Poddar to appear for questioning at around 12 noon on Wednesday. Senior police officers were present at the police station in anticipation of her appearance, but she did not turn up.

An official of the Chandannagar Police Commissionerate confirmed that Poddar had been summoned for questioning but failed to appear. The official said the next course of legal action would be decided shortly.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticised Poddar's conduct, alleging that obstructing police personnel in the discharge of their duties was unacceptable. BJP leaders said she should have respected the law and complied with the police summons.

The case stems from Tuesday's incident when officials of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) were taking Shakir Ali into custody from his residence and escorting him to Kolkata. During the operation, Poddar was involved in a heated argument with police personnel and was heard saying, I do not need any police protection. Following the incident, Serampore Police registered a suo motu case against her for allegedly obstructing government officials from performing their duties.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey