Chit fund scam: Naveen's personal aide appears before CBI

Post interrogation, Saroj Sahu mum on info provided to agency; denies links with chit fund players

The ongoing probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the chit fund scandal in Odisha took an interesting turn with the central agency summoning chief minister Naveen Patnaik's personal aide Saroj Sahu for interrogation.

Sahu coordinates the programmes of the chief minister from Naveen Niwas, the latter's residence and also devotes time to the ruling Biju Janata Dal's (BJD) office in the capacity of political secretary. He appeared before the CBI office here after receiving a phone call.

"I am here after getting a phone call from them. I don't know why they have called me," Sahu told reporters while entering the CBI office.

After completion of interrogation, Sahu declined to comment on the information that he provided to the CBI. He denied any links with the unscrupulous chit fund players.

Sahu's appearance before the CBI is viewed as an embarrassment for the chief minister who has categorically denied the involvement of his government in the multi crore chit fund scam. Patnaik had termed the arrest of the BJD leaders- Pravat Tripathy, the MLA from Banki and former government chief whip and Ram Chandra Hansda, the sitting MP from Mayurbhanj, as their personal business which would have no bearing on his government or party's image. Both the leaders nabbed by the CBI have been suspended from the BJD.

Sahu has pleaded ignorance on the reasons for being interrogated by the CBI. Sources, however, said Sahu was called by the CBI after the investigative agency collected some information from one Subhankar Nayak in connection with the chit fund scam. Nayak who used to laision with the ministers and BJD leaders on behalf of Ponzi operator Seashore Group, was arrested by the CBI on November 18.

Many press releases issued by the BJD bear the signature of Sahu. His appearance before the CBI has provided more fodder for the Opposition to corner the chief minister on the chit fund scam.

"Sahu is the key confidante of the chief minister and manages many activities from Naveen Niwas. After Sahu's interrogation by the CBI, the chief minister has no moral right to continue in his position", said Tara Prasad Bahinipati, Congress chief whip and the party's MLA from Jeypore.

Earlier in the day, R K Nanda, who worked as marketing manager with the Artha Tatwa (AT) Group, a key player in the chit fund scam, appeared before the CBI for questioning. Nanda was responsible for managing events and advertising business of the group.