Odisha chit fund scam: Baleswar MP Rabindra Jena appears before CBI

Sambad English Bureau Published On : Jan 12, 2015 at 8:32 PM Updated On : Jan 13, 2015 at 12:42 AM

Reported by Santosh Jagdev
Bhubaneswar, Jan 12:

In another major blow to the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Odisha, party MP from Baleswar Rabindra Jena appeared before the CBI for questioning in connection with the massive chit fund scam in the state.

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Jena went in at about 7.50 pm and came out at about 10.30 in the night.

“I was questioned about some business transactions with Seashore. I have answered all questions and provided all relevant documents to the CBI,” Jena told waiting media persons after coming out of the CBI office.

Sources said he is being questioned about his alleged links with the Seashore Group of companies.

The MP said Seashore still owed him some money.

Sources close to the MP said Jena headed the ‘Supratik’ group of companies, which had lent an amount of Rs 18 crores to the Seashore group in 2010. Seashore had paid back the lion’s share of the money, but still owed Rs 1.86 crores to him, they said.

The five companies under the Supratik conglomerate are Supratik Infra Ventures, Supratik Plastics, Bikram Private Limited, Shree Sanyeeji Rolling Mills and NextTech Power Solutions.

Jena was the co chief executive officer (CEO) in Balasore Ispat Alloys from January 31, 2007 to January 30, 2009 and became managing director (MD) in the same company from January 30, 2009 and stayed in that capacity till November 3, 2011

Jena is the second BJD MP to be questioned by the CBI in the chit fund scam. Earlier, BJD MP from neighbouring Mayurbhanj constituency Ramchandra Hansda was arrested by the CBI after several rounds of interrogation on his links with Nabadiganta Financial Services, a chit fund company.

Reacting to the development, BJD spokesperson Samir Dash said one has to wait a little to find out why Jena had been summoned before commenting on the issue, but hastened to reiterate the hackneyed party stand that it had nothing to do with what individuals did.

“The Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik has made it clear on the party’s foundation day that the party is not responsible for those who indulge in wrongdoing,” he said.