CBI arrests Odisha DSP in chit fund case

CBI today arrested a deputy superintendent of Odisha police for allegedly deriving financial benefits from a company which is facing a probe by the agency in the chit-fund scam.
CBI sources here said today that Pramod Panda, posted as DSP, has been arrested by the agency for allegedly deriving undue financial benefits and being part of a larger conspiracy for duping gullible investors who invested money in the schemes of Artha Tatwa Group.
In its first charge sheet against the company, CBI has named 16 individuals, including BJD MLA Pravat Tripathy, former advocate general of Odisha Asok Mohanty and seven companies for alleged criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery and violation of Prize Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (Banning) Act, among others, agency sources said here.

Chairman-cum-Managing Director of the firm, PK Sethi, has also been named as an accused in the charge sheet, they said.
Further investigation as regards the role of other persons in the larger conspiracy, the money trail and role of other agencies is being carried out by CBI.
The probe against Artha Tatwa Group forms part of the CBI's investigation against Ponzi scheme operators which is an off shoot of the Saradha scam. CBI was entrusted with the probe upon the orders of Supreme Court this year in May.
CBI has registered 44 FIRs in Odisha against as many chit- fund companies. Supreme Court had handed over the Saradha scam probe to CBI and asked various state governments to provide every logistical help to the agency in that regard.

CBI has formed a Special Investigating Team (SIT) headed by Joint Director Rajiv Singh to also probe the role of the Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and RBI in the matter.