The Saradha ponzi scheme that engulfed several thousands of investors into its deadly fold and has driven 8 people to suicide, has not yet been brought to rest as people struggle to reconcile with the fallout of its collapse.
In the immediate aftermath of the funds collapse, a commission was formed to investigate the matter, following which an SIT was formed. The Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also announced a 500 crore relief package.
After one month of the investigation however, there are questions about the pace of the investigation and also the manner in which it is being conducted. The neutrality of the SIT is also being called into question.
Speaking to INN Sandhi Mukherjee, Former DG, IB, said, “State investigation agency of the police are not competent enough to carry out this work. They are also not used to this kind of work. They don’t have the infrastructure and they also have several other things to do.”
Bikash Bhattacharya, lawyer and CPM leader, said, “Special investigation team will be headed by DG, Police. What is his integrity level? His entire effort will be to save the political bigwigs.”
Sudipta Sen has also written to the court asking for an affidavit, where he expresses confidence in the SIT probe and not in the CBI. And there is more to the affidavit. Surprisingly, he denies link with TMC members and the government and Chief Minister in complete contrast to his position a month earlier.
“The person who is the accused and also in custody boldly saying that the investigation being conducted by state agencies are good enough and investigation by the CBI is not welcome, “Bhattacharya added.
The state government has filed no complaint against the Saradha Group lending fuel to the claim that the state does not want to come down on Sudipta Sen very heavily. The state has instead relied solely on the FIR against Sudipta Sen.
However, Arnab Ghosh, Addl DC, Bidhannagar Police, who are conducting the probe said, ” We are going by the FIR principally but that does not mean that we are limited by the FIR.”
Shyamal Sen, head of the investigation team, echoed his views. He said, “CBI has lost its credibility after the Supreme Court ruling. And I don’t think that the CBI is the only credible agency.”
']]}