Saradha probe: CBI to quiz Bengal minister Madan Mitra, MP Srinjoy Bose

Former TMC MP and Cong leader Somen Mitra also summoned

The Central Bureau of Investigation appears to be stepping up its probe again. Days after submitting its second charge sheet, the central agency has summoned West Bengal Transport Minister Madan Mitra and TMC Rajya Sabha MP Srinjoy Bose, former TMC MP and now Congress leader Somen Mitra.

All three have been asked to appear before the investigative agency on Friday for questioning. Madan Mitra, who was defended by his party supremo and chief minister Mamata Banerjee only last week was admitted to a private city hospital last night.

People close to Madan Mitra, indicated, he was unlikely appear before CBI tomorrow due to "health issues". TMC Rajya Sabha MP, Srinjoy Bose, who has already been questioned by CBI twice earlier, however, is likely to appear before CBI again tomorrow.

While both Madan Mitra and Srinjoy Bose were served summons by CBI last night, the agency today asked Somen Mitra as well to appear before court. "I am not aware of this as yet. But if they summon I will surely go and appear before CBI," Somen Mitra said.

Among the three politicians summoned, state transport and sports minister Madan Mitra's name has reportedly propped up in CBI investigation in Saradha along with textile minister Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, who was earlier quizzed by ED in this case. Former TMC MP Kunal Ghosh is already under behind the bars in connection to the scam and recently survived a suicide bid inside jail, has repeatedly alleged Madan Mitra's involvement in the scam.

On the other hand, Srinjoy Bose, beside being TMC Rajya Sabha MP, also owns the Bengali daily Pratidin, which had tie-up with Saradha's media house. Kunal Ghosh also worked for Bose's newspaper besides being the head of Saradha's media wing.

Former TMC MP and now Congress leader Somen Mitra was understood to be named by arrested East Bengal club official Debabrata Sarkar during questioning by CBI. When asked about this, Somen Mitra said, "I have nothing to do with Saradha and East Bengal."

Incidentally, Somen Mitra had written to then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2012 about the mushrooming chit funds across the state much before the matters came to limelight.