Will resign if son's link with ponzi firm proved: Bengal minister

Amid reports that a probe for fraud has been ordered into a ponzi firm where his eldest son Swarup was allegedly a director, West Bengal Transport Minister Madan Mitra Sunday said he will step down if his son's link with the company was proved.

"I came to know about the media report from people and I have nothing to say about an agency interrogating my son. A government agency may interrogate whomever it wants to. But, the only thing I have to say that if my son Swarup is found to be associated with I-Core or any other chit fund company, then I will resign as a minister," said Mitra, who is currently admitted to the SSKM Hospital.

"Neither me, nor any of my family is involved with I-Core, and this is a malicious and false campaign," said the minister who has been summoned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for questioning in the multi-crore rupee Saradha chit fund scam.

Mitra, who was admitted in a private nursing home since Nov 18 but later shifted to the government run SSKM Hospital suffering from breathlessness, said he was hopeful of recovering his health in a day or two.

"I am feeling better and hope to recover in a day or two," he said.

SSKM director, Pradip Mitra, has said that the minister was in a position to speak.

The I-Core Group, had been under the scanner of central agencies including the Enforcement Directorate after market watchdog Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) issued a ban on the group's flagship company Icore E-Services from mobilising funds from the public in July this year.

According to reports, the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) too has ordered a probe into affairs of the company.