Chit fund scam: Odisha HC rejects MLA Pravat Biswal’s bail plea

Cuttack: The Orissa High Court today rejected the bail plea of BJD’s Choudwar-Cuttack MLA Pravat Biswal, who was arrested by CBI in connection with the Seashore Group chit fund scam.

The court also directed the CBI, which is probing into the chit fund scam, to complete investigation of the case within two months.

It also said that the legislator can apply for bail in lower court after submission of chargesheet.

Biswal had moved the High Court on October 3 seeking bail and challenging his arrest stating that the allegation on the basis of which he has been arrested by the central investigating agency is against his wife Laxmibilasini and not him.

It may be recalled that Biswal was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the wee hours of September 19 from his Mahanadi Vihar residence in Cuttack for his alleged complicity in the Seashore Group chit fund scam.

While the Special CBI Court had granted the central investigating agency a five-day remand of the BJD MLA for further interrogation, the agency produced him in the court on September 22, one day before the completion of the remand period as he complained of sickness.

Biswal, who was sent to Jharpada Special Jail by the court with a direction for examination by doctors at the jail, was admitted to the Capital Hospital after doctors at the jail examined him and recommended for his shifting.

Later on September 25, as the health condition of the BJD lawmaker deteriorated, a panel of doctors comprising of Orthopaedic, Medicine, Surgery and Cardiology specialists treating him at the Capital Hospital recommended for his shifting to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack for better treatment.

The MLA was under scanner over a deal between his wife Laxmi Bilasini Biswal and Seashore Group CMD Prashant Dash over a piece of land measuring 34 gunths at Benapur mouza in Jajpur district.

Dash had paid Rs 25 lakh for the land by cheque in two installments to Laxmi Bilasini in April 2012. However, Dash had cancelled the deal later and had wanted his money back.

The MLA’s wife has claimed that she had returned the money to Dash by cash and was in possession of an agreement reached between her and Dash on court paper in the matter.