Trinamool MP Tapas Paul assures cooperation with CBI

A day after his house was raided by the CBI in connection with a chit fund case, Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha member Tapas Paul on Thursday assured of cooperating with the agency if he was summoned.

"I was in Delhi when they raided. But they (CBI) are doing their investigation in a very courteous manner. If they call me, I will definitely go. They are honourable people and I will surely talk to them," said Paul.

Paul's South Kolkata residence was one of the 43 locations of the Rose valley Group where the CBI had conducted raids Wednesday.

The actor-turned-politician was a former director in the group which has been under the scanner of the various central agencies including market regulator SEBI, the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Paul, who had earlier written to the centre expressing concern over mushrooming ponzi firms in West Bengal, clarified that he had not mentioned Rose Valley's name in his letter as its chairman Gautam Kundu had assured of working for public welfare.

"When I had written the letter, I had not mentioned Rose Valley because I heard Gautam Kundu saying he wanted to work for the welfare of the people. Also nobody suggested the name of Rose Valley to me," said the Lok Sabha member from Krishnanagar constituency in Nadia district.

Paul also admitted he used to get Rs.80,000 per month for being director of the company but later resigned.

"Kundu had assured me Rs.1 lakh per month but I used to get Rs.80,000 after deductions. Also the payment was not regular," added Paul.