Jual Oram reiterates demand for CBI probe into Chitgate

Sambad English Bureau Published On : Sep 11, 2013 at 6:08 PM Updated On : Sep 11, 2013 at 6:13 PM

OST Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Sep 11:
Rejecting the commission of inquiry headed by Justice RK Patra, the state BJP today reiterated its demand for a CBI probe into the multi-crore chit fund scam in the state.
“The state government has constituted a judicial commission, which is inquiring into the case. Besides, the Commissionerate Police and Economic Office Wing (EOW) are also investigating the matter. However, there is very little coordination between the government and the investigating agencies in probing the matter. The probe is nothing but an attempt to hoodwink the people,” said national BJP vice-president Jual Oram at a press conference here today.
While the state government claimed that the EOW was investigating the activities of chit fund companies like AT Group, Seashore, ARSS Group, the EOW had clarified that it had not taken the investigation against the AT Group.
In response to an RTI application seeking information on the AT Group, the EOW informed that it had not taken over investigation of any case against AT Group. However, joint director of Institute of Finance S Kanungo has informed the Governor that the EOW was investigating the activities of chit fund companies, including AT Group, Oram pointed out.
The senior BJP leader also accused the state government for delaying the investigation into the chit fund case.
“An 11-member team of crime branch is investigating as many as 165 companies. Besides, the Patra commission has already received 1.35 lakh affidavits so far and more affidavits are expected, which would not be possible to dispose of within the prescribed time limit,” said Oram seeking the hand-over of the case to CBI for a fair probe.
In any case, the Supreme Court, which is currently hearing a PIL over the chit fund scam, may direct the state government to hand over the probe to the CBI, the BJP leader said.
Recently, the Supreme Court directed the Odisha government to file a reply within two weeks to a PIL seeking CBI inquiry into the multi-crore chit fund scam