ED probe into Saradha money trail in final stages: official

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) which initiated the money laundering probe into the multi-crore Saradha scam in April 2013, was in the process of finalising its investigation, ED officials said.

"The ED probe is in the final stages and we have been able to trace a substantial part of the proceeds of the crime," Special Director, Enforcement Directorate said.

He said the ED would have to wait till the completion of the probe being conducted by CBI. "Once the CBI probe is over, then ED will be able to file a prosecution complaint (chargesheet) against the accused", the official said.

The official said that the department had attached properties worth Rs 350 crore and had been confirmed by the adjudicating authority.

ED had attached properties in the states of West Bengal, Assam and Odisha, he said. Bank accounts belonging to Saradha group having a balance of Rs 70 lakh had also been recovered and attached, he said. "ED and the CBI are both coordinating in the probe on need-to-know basis", he said.

So far, the ED had conducted more than 100 interrogations and arrested three people, he said, adding that CBI had apprehended two persons while the West Bengal police probe team another five.