The action was taken following directions from the Supreme Court to probe all the companies allegedly involved in the ponzi scam. (File)The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Monday carried out searches at 22 locations in West Bengal in connection to a chit fund case. The searches were conducted on the premises of directors and promoters of New Land Agro Industries, one of the accused in the case.
The action was taken following directions from the Supreme Court to probe all the companies allegedly involved in the ponzi scam, which is being probed by a Special Investigation Team of West Bengal, an official was quoted as saying by PTI.
The company was booked in May 2017 on orders of the apex court following a complaint that alleged that over 250 agents who had deposited approximately Rs 1 crore each were cheated by the promoters of the agency by promising them lucrative return.
After the Lok Sabha elections, the CBI has yet again intensified its investigation in the two major multi-billion chit fund scams — Saradha and Rose Valley.
The scams hit the limelight again after the CBI, that has been trying to take former Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar in its custody for interrogation, issued a look-out notice against him. However, Kumar managed to get a “no arrest” protection from the court.
In the last one month, the CBI has already interrogated more than three police officers, who were part of the investigating team of the Saradha case in the initial days.
Recently, Rose Valley Group chairman Gautam Kundu, currently lodged inside Presidency Jail, was examined in connection with the scam.
Earlier, the CBI had arrested founder and directors of SVF Entertainment Pvt Limited (formerly Shree Ventatesh Films) Shrikanta Mohta. According to CBI sources, it is alleged that Mohta had entered into an agreement worth 25 crore with Kundu in the pretext of producing films and selling telecast rights for the Rose Valley group.
