Lawyers’ protest delays chit fund probe process in Odisha

Cuttack: The ongoing agitation by Orissa High Court lawyers over ‘police excesses’ not only affected the functioning of the court and legal process, but also delayed the probe conducted by Justice MM Das Commission into multi-crore chit fund scam.

The ponzi firms, which were served notice by the Commission for appearance, are seeking more time citing ‘lawyers strike’.

As the officials of the chit fund firms are avoiding appearance before the panel, the probe process in the scam is being delayed, sources said.

The lawyers are on strike since August 29 demanding arrest of police personnel involved in attack on an advocate in Cuttack.

Besides, the probe is also being delayed as the accurate addresses of the chit fund firms are yet to be provided by the economic offences wing (EoW) of Crime Branch to the Commission.

Sources said that Justice MM Das Commission is likely to submit its next interim report to the government in three months.

The notice will be served to some chit fund firms identified in the process after verifying affidavits in sixth phase.

Notably, the Commission has already submitted five interim reports to the government so far recommending funds repayment to the victims, who had invested below Rs 10,000 in various ponzi companies.

The last interim report was submitted on July 13.