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SC directs CBI probe into Saradha scam

by IBNS 08 May 2014, 08:23 pm

New Delhi, May 9 (IBNS) In a setback for West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during election time, the Supreme Court on Friday directed a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the Sardha chit fund scam.

The apex court gave its verdict after hearing three petitions - two from West Bengal and one from Odhisa - on the case.

On Apr 28, the Enforcement Directorate again quizzed Trinamool Congress (TMC) Lok Sabha candidate from Balurghat and theatre personality Arpita Ghosh on the Saradha ponzi meltdown scam.

Arpita Ghosh, who was with a TV channel of Saradha earlier, was called in the ED's Salt Lake office.

Later she left the office without speaking to the media.

The ED has cracked whip on the Saradha family and associates of late taking in custody jailed Saradha chief Sudipta Sen's wife Piyali Sen and his son Subhajit in a money laundering case.

Sudipta Sen, the Chairman and Managing Director of Saradha Group, which allegedly defrauded thousands of small investors, is now in jail in the ponzi scam. Media personality and TMC Rajya Sabha MP Kunal Ghosh is also in jail in the scam.

Sen had claimed that he was blackmailed and used by politicians mainly from Mamata Banerjee's TMC.

Sen and Saradha Group director Debjani Mukherjee were arrested in April 2013 from Jammu and Kashmir. He was absconding since Saradha Group collapsed.

West Bengal Finance Minister and TMC leader Amit Mitra has alleged that there is political conspiracy behind the Enforcement Directorate's probe into the Saradha chit fund scam.

"The ED starts its probe into the Saradha case just two days before the elections in Bengal. What does it mean? Political motivation behind this move is clear," said Mitra.

Both Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi attacked the Mamata Banerjee government over the Saradha scam with Modi even targetting Mamata Banerjee for the astronomical sale proceeds of her painting which was reportedly purchased by Sudipto Sen. 

TMC hit back to the charges of Modi and threatened him with a defamation suit unless he retracted his remarks.