CBI trying to shield Srijan scam accused: RJD vice president

Press Trust of India  |  Patna 

Seeking a progress report from the on the multi-crore fund transfer scam, today alleged that the central agency and the government are "trying to shield the accused" in the case.

"The agency should tell the people of about the progress in the case. It must name the persons questioned so far and explain the reason for not grilling any district magistrate in the case," Tiwary told reporters here.

The also said that two main accused in the case are "related to a top-ranking official".

"The is attempting to cover up the case under the garb of investigation. The main accused of the case, and - son and of Srijan's founding member - have been evading arrest for the past one year," he said.

The scam came to light last year when a district urban development authority (DUDA) cheque, issued by the district magistrate, bounced due to lack of funds.

An initial probe revealed that the Mahila Vikas Sahyog Samiti, a women's cooperative society based at Sabour in district, allegedly procured cheque books from banks and forged signature of the to transfer government funds to its account.

The probe also pointed to the involvement of nationalised banks, government officials in the fraudulent withdrawal of funds to the tune of Rs 1000 crore in three districts of Bhagalpur, Banka and Saharsa.

The handed over the probe to the investigating agency in August.

Unlike cases, in which the CBI regularly briefed mediapersons with updates, the agency is tightlipped on this issue, the said.

"When Basant Kumar Choudhary wanted to know about the findings in the case, the CBI officials said that the questions should be sent to the (headquarters). The headquarters, too, refused to give any reply to the queries made under Right to Information Act," the said.

The should not wash their hands off the case, he opined.

"The cannot escape from their responsibilities. They can't walk away from it by simply saying that they had no knowledge about the scam," he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Fri, June 08 2018. 20:55 IST