BJP demands fair investigation into chit fund scam

BJP today demanded a fair investigation into the chit fund scam in West Bengal and also sought a probe into the alleged role of a senior Chennai-based lawyer in it.
"The whole chit fund issue needs to be properly investigated. Common man's life's savings have been withdrawn. I would like to have a fair investigation," party leader Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters here.
He also demanded a thorough probe in the wake of serious allegations cropping up against the lawyer who is married to a Congress Union minister.
Sudipta Sen, chairman of the scandal-ridden Saradha Group who was arrested two days ago, has said in a purported letter to CBI that politicians, journalists and lawyers had blackmailed him and taken money assuring him protection.

Those named by him included TMC MPs Srinjoy Bose and Kunal Ghosh, who have denied the charges, a Congress minister from Assam and Nalini Chidambaram, wife of Finance Minister P Chidambaram.
"This matter also requires a fair investigation, as to whether it was a simple professional advice or there was an element of quid pro quo," he said.

The BJP leader said the issue was "serious" and "we will also expect that the Union Finance Minister should clarify his stand honestly before the nation".
Prasad hoped the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal will initiate adequate steps to ensure safety of the savings of the common people who have invested in the chit fund company.

"I have seen Mamataji's statement. I am sure she will take appropriate steps in the light of the inquiry," he said.
On the corpus created by the state to help the investors, he said, "In the event a large number of poor depositors of the state have been made to suffer. Any government can take certain measures to protect their interest.