CBI sleuths question BJD MP again on chit fund scam

Two days after being grilled by CBI, BJD MP from Odisha Rama Chandra Hansda was today again interrogated by the central investigating agency in connection with its probe into multi-crore chit-fund scam.
Hansda, one of the founding members of ponzi company Nabadiganta Capital Services, was questioned by CBI sleuths for around two hours, CBI sources said.
The central investigating agency had raided the house of Hansda, MP from Mayurbhanj Lok Sabha constituency, at Baripada on July 31 and seized Rs 28 lakh, they said.
Hansda, who had been interrogated by CBI here on October 24, had stated that he had resigned from the company much before CBI raided his house.

The MP, however, said that the money recovered from his residence had nothing to do with a ponzi firm accused of duping investors.
Besides Hansda, two former MLAs Subarna Naik and Hitesh Bagarti were also questioned in connection with the chit-fund scam.

Three others including Nabadiganta Capital Service's CMD Anjan Baliarsingh and two directors also appeared before CBI at its state headquarters here in connection with the chit fund scam, they said.
Claiming that he was unaware of the activities of the Service, Hansda said he had purchased some insurance policy from the company.
"As the company had given me an impression that it would work for the welfare of the youth by providing them with employment, I had no reason to suspect its intent at that point in time," Hansda had maintained immediately after a raid on his house.

A case of cheating has been registered by CBI against the Bhubaneshwar-based firm, one the 44 companies mentioned in the Supreme Court order directing the agency to probe the scam, CBI sources said.