Saradha scam: Painter Shuvaprasanna, tycoon Neotia quizzed

Painter Shuvaprasanna Bhattacharya and industrialist Harshavardhan Neotia were Monday questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the multi-crore-rupee Saradha scam.

While Bhattacharya was grilled about a business deal he made with Saradha Group chief and scam kingpin Sudipta Sen, Neotia, chairman of the Ambuja Neotia Group, was asked about his association with the painter.

Bhattacharya, known for his proximity to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, had sold Devkripa Vyapar Pvt. Ltd., the holding company of news channel Akhon Samay, to the Saradha Group.

Bhattacharya is alleged to have sold the channel that never went on air to Sen at an inflated price in 2011.

"I have been summoned by the ED for some information they want and as a citizen of this country it is my duty to furnish that," Bhattacharya told media persons at the ED office here.

The ED Friday questioned his wife Shipra Bhattacharya, who was one of the directors in Devkripa.

Bhattacharya, chairman of the West Bengal Heritage Commission, a statutory panel under the state government, Oct 8 furnished documents about the deal to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which too is probing the scam.

The painter has denied being summoned by the CBI.

Neotia, who co-owns Indian Super League franchise Atletico de Kolkata, said he was asked about his association with Bhattacharya, whose several paintings he had purchased in the past.