Odisha chitfund scam: AT Group’s 2310 small depositors identified

Cuttack: The Commission headed by Justice Madan Mohan Das formed to probe into multi-crore chitfund scam in Odisha, identified 2310 small depositors of Artha Tatwa (AT) Group of companies to return their deposits.

Verifying the affidavits in fourth phase the commission identified the small investors, whose names will be mentioned in the next report that will be submitted to the government recommending for returning of their money.

Earlier, the commission had issued notice to AT Group’s CMD Pradeep Sethy, who is lodged in Jharpada jail in Bhubaneswar for duping thousands of depositors alluring them of high returns, on June 16 asking him to make his stand on the claims made by the small depositors.

However, neither Sethy nor his any official appeared before the commission during hearing on Tuesday.

On the other hand, 637 small depositors of Icore E Services Limited and Icore Jewellery & Gems Private Limited and 237 of Future Secure Agro Limited have been identified.

As the officials of these companies failed to appear before the commission, the notice has been issued to them once again.

Besides, the commission has also issued notice to Shine India Group, Shree Bhumi Group, Sastra Enterprises Limited, Sarvodaya Estate & Developers (India) Limited, Secure Life Capital Limited, Seven Hills Estate Limited, Sedil Development Limited, Shelter Group Of Companies, Secure Life Infra India Private Limited, Secure Life Microfinance and Kapilas Multipurpose Self Help Co-operative Limited after verifying the affaidavits.

Notably, the commission has issued notices after verifying total 1,38,387 affidavits submitted by the depositors, who have invested upto Rs 10,000 in the chitfund firms, between September 13, 2013 and September 17. 2017.