CBI notice to KMC for licences issued to Saradha

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is probing the multi-crore rupee Saradha scam, has sent a notice to the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) seeking details about the licenses it issued to the tainted group.

Addressed to KMC's chief manager (licensing), the notice has sought details about the trade and other licenses given to the Saradha Group of companies.

The notice dated June 4, has also sought details about the fees paid to the KMC for issuing the licences as well as information about the nature of business for which they were issued.

Reacting to the development, city Mayor Sovon Chatterjee accused the BJP-led central government of diluting the significance of the CBI.

"It's an official letter to the KMC and whatever information they have sought we will provide. "But the way, the central government is diluting the significance of the CBI, its prestige, it really is worrisome," he said on Monday.

KMC councilor Prakash Upadhyay, who had earlier approached the CBI as well as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) accusing Chatterjee of being involved in the scam and "unscrupulously issuing trade licenses to the company, welcomed the move.

"Many had doubted if my fight would yield result, but today I feel vindicated. I have always maintained that Chatterjee was involved and all the truth will come out," he said.

Upadhyay had earlier submitted documents to both the CBI and the ED alleging that Chatterjee, also a legislator of the ruling Trinamool Congress, used his influence to give over 40 trade licences to a company of the Saradha group which has a registered office in Diamond Harbor which falls under his constituency.