Odisha govt asks AOR in SC about info on ponzi cos collection

The Odisha government today asked its advocate-on-record (AOR) in the Supreme Court to collect information on unauthorised collection of money from the pubic by ponzi companies, official sources said.
"Provide information, statement and document regarding unauthorised collection of public deposits in the state," S Kanungo, Joint Secretary in the finance department said in a letter to Shibashish Mishra, the state government's AOR in the apex court.
The state government's move came in response to a letter given by the Justice R K Patra Commission of Enquiry probing into the multi-crore ponzi scam in Odisha. The Commission had sought information from the apex court through the state government within two weeks.

In its letter to the state government, the Commission said it had received about eight lakh envelops each containing one or more affidavits by the depositors who were allegedly duped by ponzi companies.
The depositors have lodged complaints at different police stations and commissionarate of police, besides the economic offence wing of the Crime Branch.
Recently, the Crime Branch of state police had handed over all documents relating to illegal operations of Flourish India to the state finance department for confiscation of properties.
Earlier, the Crime Branch had submitted the documents of Saradha Group, Sastra Enterprises Pvt Ltd and Seashore Group to the department for attachment of properties.

The Odisha Protection of Interests of Depositors (in Financial Establishment) Act has provisions of safeguarding and protecting small investors from fraudulent financial entities.