Saradha scam: CBI may call Mithun to record his statement

Mithun was allegedly part of the promotion exercise undertaken by the promoters

CBI may examine Bollywood actor and Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Mithun Chakraborty in connection with its probe in the Saradha ponzi scam as the agency has found that he was allegedly part of the promotion exercise undertaken by the promoters.

The agency sources said examination of all those concerned with the schemes, through which thousands of investors were allegedly cheated, will be undertaken by CBI in a structured manner.

The sources said since Chakraborty was part of the promotional exercise undertaken by the promoters, he will also be examined. The sources however refused to give details as to when CBI might call him for recording his statement.

Chakraborty did not respond to SMS seeking his reaction.

They said Mithun’s examination was necessary as he was the brand ambassador of a media platform floated by the group.

Sources said the investigating agency will record his statement to understand working of the group and flow of funds.

The sources have clarified that there is no allegation of any wrong doing against the actor in the scam and his testimony will only corroborate the working of the group.

They also said as of now he will only be examined as a witness in the case.

The sources said money worth some crores have been paid to the actor for his services to the company which is under scanner and his statement will help the agency to understand how the money was spent by the company.

They said the actor is likely to be called in Kolkata for recording his statement.

The CBI, on the directions of the Supreme Court, recently began its probe in the case in which it has registered three cases in West Bengal alone.

In its three FIRs pertaining to cases in West Bengal, CBI has registered cases against Chairman cum Managing Director of Saradha group Sudipta Sen, the then Director Saradha Realty Debjani Mukherjee, the CEO Saradha Media Kunal Ghosh, also a TMC MP, the then Senior Vice President Saradha Media Somnath Dutta, the then Director of Saradha Realty Manoj Naghel and an employee of Saradha Group of Companies Aurobindo Chauhan.

The Supreme court had handed over the Saradha chit fund scam to CBI and asked the state governments to provide all logistical help to the CBI team probing the matter.

CBI has formed a Special Investigating Team (SIT) headed by Joint Director Rajeev Singh to also probe the role of Securities Exchange Board of India (Sebi) and RBI.

“Investigation conducted so far puts a question mark on the role of regulatory authorities like Sebi, Registrar of Companies and officials of RBI within whose respective jurisdictions and areas of operation the scam not only took birth but flourished unhindered,” an apex court bench headed by Justice T S Thakur had said in its order.

CBI Special Director Anil Kumar Sinha has been asked to monitor the progress in the probe and exercise administrative control under the overall supervision of the CBI director.