Saradha scam: CBI quizzes CPI-M leader Rabin Deb

The CBI Friday questioned CPI-M leader Rabin Deb in the multi-crore rupee Saradha scam.

Deb, a former West Bengal legislator, had earlier sought a few days time after receiving the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) summons.

"I was out of station. I had requested for a few days time as I had a scheduled programme. But it was cancelled. So I called up the agency asking if I can appear today (Friday) which they allowed," he told media persons after the questioning session.

"My name was mentioned during the course of investigation and I am happy that I could put forth my views to them," he added.

Communist Party of India-Marxist state secretary Biman Bose later clarified that Deb was summoned by the agency as a witness and expressed his displeasure of a section of the media for alleging the party's involvement in the scam.

"Deb was called as a witness," Bose told media persons here quoting the CBI's notice of appearance sent to Deb.

"A section of the media started to talk about CPI-M's involvement in the scam. What involvement? Rabin Deb has been called as a witness and he appeared and answered their queries. In future, if they (CBI) seek further information, he will again cooperate," he said.

The veteran Marxist however, said "it would have been better had Rabin Deb been not been summoned".

After taking up the investigation of the state's biggest financial scandal, the CBI has arrested four people including Trinamool Congress leader and former director general of state armed police Rajat Majumdar.

The CBI and the Enforcement Directorate have already questioned a number of Trinamool MPs including Arpita Ghosh, Mithun Chakraborty, Srinjoy Bose and state Textile Minister Shyamapada Mukherjee.