Odisha chit fund scam: CBI begins interrogation of BJD MP Hansda

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Oct 24:

The CBI, which is investigating into the mega chit fund scam in Odisha, began interrogation of the Mayurbhanj BJD MP Ram Chandra Hansda at the CBI office here this morning.

It may be mentioned that the CBI, in course of its investigation, had found the involvement of Hansda in the operations of Nabadiganta Capital Services, a chit fund company operating in the state.

The Central investigating agency later raided his house at Baripada on July 31 this year and seized Rs 28 lakh.

Soon after the raid, the BJD MP, in a clarification to the media, had said his association with the Nabadiganta Capital Service began when one of the company officials approached him and persuaded him to have an insurance policy in 2011.

“As the company had given me an impression that it would work for the welfare of the youth by providing them with jobs, I had no reason to suspect its intent at that point in time”, he had said.

Hansda said as a matter of policy, he and five others had separately bought eight per cent share in the company and the rest 52 per cent shares remained with the original owner of Nabadiganta.

He had claimed that it was decided that they would all adhere to the non-banking finance rules, he added.

Admitting that he had given Rs 7 lakh to the company when it was passing through difficult times, the BJD MP said he had got Rs 7 lakh from the State Assembly as an MLA towards arrears.

He had said he suspected foul play by the company when it repaid him Rs 1 lakh and did not return the rest of the amount.

“Despite my repeated requests the company did not return my money. In November 2012, I resigned from the company but the company accepted it only in May 2013. I had not pressed for the acceptance of my resignation, only because I was hoping to get back my money,” Hansda had said.