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Officials claimed on Thursday that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued new summonses to TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee and his wife in a money laundering case relating to an alleged coal scam in West Bengal.

Banerjee and his wife Rujira Banerjee, the nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the national general secretary of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), have been summoned to appear before the inquiry officer next week, they added.

In September of last year, the ED questioned Banerjee in this case at an agency office in the national capital.

Based on a November 2020 FIR filed by the CBI alleging a multi-crore coal pilferage scheme involving Eastern Coalfields Limited mines in the state's Kunustoria and Kajora areas in and around Asansol, the ED filed a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.

In September of last year, the ED questioned Banerjee in this case at an agency office in the capital.

Based on a November 2020 FIR filed by the CBI alleging a multi-crore coal pilferage scheme involving Eastern Coalfields Limited mines in the state's Kunustoria and Kajora areas in and around Asansol, the ED filed a case under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.

Anup Majhi alias Lala, a local coal miner, is said to be the main suspect in the crime. The ED said that the TMC legislator, who is 34 years old, was a recipient of monies obtained from the unlawful activity. All charges have been levelled against him, and he has rejected them all.

In light of Holi Festival, Muslim organisation is urging mosques to change their Friday prayer times.

Given that Holi would be celebrated on the same day as Friday prayers, the Islamic Centre of India has requested mosques to adjust the timings of Friday prayers in order to ensure peace and order.

Because Holi, Shab-e-Barat, and Friday prayers all fall on the same day, all efforts should be taken to maintain peace and order in accordance with the country's composite culture, said Farangi Mahal chairman and Lucknow Idgah Imam Maulana Khalid Rasheed on Wednesday.

He asked Muslims to pray in local mosques instead of demanding a change in the schedule of Friday prayers.

At least 22 mosques, including some well-known ones such as Jama Masjid Idgah, Masjid Aishbagh, Ek Minara Masjid at Akbari Gate, Masjid Shahmina Shah, and Masjid Chowk, have moved Friday prayers after 1.30 p.m.

Due to the fact that Shab-e-Barat falls on the same day as Holi, the Islamic Centre of India has encouraged Muslims to visit mosques and the graves of their loved ones after 5 p.m., when Holi is done, and to refrain from using fireworks on the day.

There was a similar circumstance four years earlier, and at the time, the clerics had similarly modified the schedule of Friday prayers.