Amicus curiae's view on chit fund probe sparks political wrangling

The opinion of the Supreme Court's amicus curiae Shyam Divan on the ongoing probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into chit fund scam in Odisha has triggered a feud between the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Opposition BJP in the state.

In his opinion in the apex court, Divan has blamed the Odisha government for not extending due cooperation to the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate in the probe. He also alleged that some of the influential political leaders were being shielded by the government.

Voicing dismay at the slow pace of investigation, Divan said, though five months have elapsed, the CBI probe has so far covered only four Ponzi firms against 44 mandated by the top court, citing lack of adequate manpower and infrastructure in the command of the agency to expedite the probe.

Appearing before a bench headed by Justice T S Thakur, senior counsel Divan said that only 4-5 CBI sleuths are conducting the probe against nearly 44 companies and their officials and the investigation is going nowhere. The amicus curiae had filed a 10-page application before the bench that posted the hearing for next week.

Noting that the “investigation is being stalled at the instance of influential political leaders,” Divan wanted the Supreme Court (SC) to inquire directly as to why the CBI appeared unwilling or unable to vigorously pursue the investigation.

The state unit of the BJP has backed the comments of Divan.

“Whatever the amicus curiae has said, I believe it is true. The ruling party's own people are involved in the chit fund scam”, said K V Singhdeo, president of the state BJP unit.

BJD spokesperson and former minister Pratap Keshari Deb, however, trashed the allegations.

“These allegations are unfounded. The CBI is being provided all possible support by the government. The agency is freely interrogating anyone, be it politicians, business men or media house owners and also conducting raids”, Deb said.

In the course of its investigation, the CBI has arrested four political leaders- three from the ruling BJD including sitting MP Ram Chandra Hansda, former government chief whip and Banki MLA Pravat Tripathy and former Keonjhar legislator Subarna Naik for their links with the chit fund firms. Former BJP MLA Hitesh Bagarti has also been nabbed on similar charges.

A special CBI court here today sent the two businessmen arrested Wednesday in connection with the chit fund scam – Vineet Lalani and Dilip Mohanty on an eight-day remand. The duo would be produced in the court on November 13.

Both Lalani and Mohanty, a former secretary of the Congress party, were directors in real estate firm Orisun Properties Ltd and were involved with the Artha Tatwa (AT) Group in land deals and construction of apartments and duplex houses, according to CBI sources.