BJD MP interrogated in Odisha chit fund scam

In yet another jolt to the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Odisha, the CBI Monday interrogated party MP Rabindra Kumar Jena over his alleged link with the multi-crore-rupee chit fund scam in the state.

According to sources in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Jena was questioned for his alleged link with the Seashore Group, a major chit fund player in the state.

The Lok Sabha member from Balasore, who appeared at the CBI office here at 7.50 p.m., was being interrogated till the filing of this report.

Jena is the second BJD MP to be interrogated by the investigating agency in the chit fund scam.

Earlier, the CBI had arrested Mayurbhanj MP Rama Chandra Hansdah along with a former BJD legislator and a former BJP legislator for their alleged link with Nabadiganta Financial Services, a chit fund company operating in the state.

CBI sources said Jena headed the Supratik group of companies, which had availed term loan of about Rs.18 crore from the Seashore group in 2010.

He, however, paid back the loan in 2013, the sources added.

Jena was also the co-CEO of Balasore Alloys from Jan 31, 2007 to Jan 30, 2009.

Later, he became managing director of the same company till November 2011.