Multi-crore chit fund scam echoes in Odisha

BHUBANESWAR, May 1, 2013, DHNS;

A mega chit fund scam in the neighbouring West Bengal has its impact on Odisha with the crime branch of the state police registering criminal cases against Saradha group, the controversial company which is currently at the centre of the multi crore duping incident.

The Economic Offence Wing (EOW) of the Crime Branch registered the cases on the basis of compliants filed by thousands of investors in different parts of the state, particularly in Balasore and Puri districts. 

If sources in the crime branch are to be believed, plans are already afoot to bring Sudipta Sen, the promoter of the Sharadha group and Debjani Mukherjee, the director of the company to the state on transit remand for interrogation. Both have been arrested by the West Bengal police. 

"We would soon be approaching the West Bengal police and the court there to bring both Sen and Debjani for a detailed interrogation. It is necessary for our investigation," said a senior crime branch official. The Sharada Realty Limited, the Kolkata-based group's flagship company, had opened its office in 2010 at Balasore town in Balasore district which neighbours West Bengal. 

Crores of rupees had been collected from investors, promising them handsome returns in quick time. The company had begun its operations in the temple town of Puri last year. 
Like in West Bengal, in both Odisha towns, the company had collected funds through local agents. 

Immediately after the scam broke out in West Bengal, the company's offices in both the towns closed their shutters and the mangers fled.

For the last few days the investors have been demonstrating both in Balasore and Puri besides registering cases against the company in different police stations. 

This forced the state government to direct the crime branch to investigate the matter. A crime branch team had already visited Balasore on Tuesday to record the investors' statements. 

Another team left for the north Odisha town on Wednesday for further investigation. A team will also visit Puri very shortly, crime branch sources said.

   The scam has also become a major topic of discussion in the state's political circles as in his controversial letter to the CBI, Sen had mentioned about paying a few crores of rupees to a politician in Odisha. He, however, had not named the political leader.