Trinamool, police link allowed chit fund proliferation: former IPS officer

Former IPS officer Nazrul Islam, who had written to the West Bengal government in 2012 seeking action against the Saradha Group and other such firms, Tuesday blamed ruling Trinamool Congress and police for the proliferation of chit fund companies in the state.

Islam, as the then additional director general of police training, had in July 2012 written to the state home secretary seeking action against at least 12 chit fund companies including the Saradha Group, MPS Group, and the Rose Valley Group. He also mentioned the Alchemist Group, which has Trinamool Rajya Sabha member K.D. Singh, as its chairman emeritus.

"I had given details including relevant laws and court judgments under which action could have been taken against these companies. Instead, the government preferred to give indulgence and result is there for all to see," Islam told media persons during the launch of his two new books.

"Without the active participation of the police and Trinamool leaders, proliferation of the chit funds was not possible," said Islam whose books - "IPS Jiboner Upalabdhir Jontronna" (Pains of Realisation in the Life of an IPS) and "Her Dishonesty" were launched by convict-turned-rickshawpuller-turned-author Manoranjan Byapari.

A known critic of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Islam also pointed fingers at her and claimed the Trinamool leaders' endorsement of chit fund companies was responsible for ruining lakhs of poor depositors.

"It is unbelievable that the Trinamool leaders and ministers did not have information that events they are participating are organised by chit fund companies. As regards the chief minister, what was the need for her to meet (Saradha promoter) Sudipta Sen in the mid of night at Kalimpong," he asked.

Islam was referring to suspended and arrested Trinamool Rajya Sabha member Kunal Ghosh's claim that the Trinamool top leadership met purported Saradha scam kingpin Sen in Delo at Kalimpong in March 2012 on the sidelines of an official tour by the chief minister.

"In my first book I have written about how corruption has become the norm in our police department and those who take a stand against it are considered lunatics. My second book (Her Dishonesty) deals about how the chief minister (Banerjee) tried to use me to further her dishonest means," said Islam about the books.