Saradha chit fund scam: Madan Mitra denied bail, CBI custody extended

Kolkata, Dec 16:

West Bengal minister Madan Mitra – arrested in connection with the multi-crore rupee Saradha chit fund scam – was Tuesday denied bail for the second time with a city court extending his CBI custody till Dec 19.

Mitra, a top Trinamool Congress leader and close associate of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, was presented before the court of chief judicial magistrate (Alipore) amid heavy security during the day following his Dec 12 arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation on various charges including conspiracy and misappropriation of funds.

Following a ruckus created by Trinamool Congress activists during Mitra’s Dec 13 court hearing, the CBI wrote to the city and the Bidhannagar police seeking adequate security measures to prevent the recurrence of any commotion.

After hearing the prosecution and the defence, the court extended Mitra’s CBI custody till Dec 19. (IANS)