CBI interrogates BJD MP Rama Chandra Hansda in chit fund scam

BHUBANESWAR: CBI today questioned BJD MP Rama Chandra Hansda in connection with its probe into multi-crore chit fund scam related to Saradha and other companies.

The central investigating agency had raided his house at Baripada on July 31 and seized Rs 28 lakh. Hansda was one of the founding members of Nabadiganta Capital Service. He however, resigned from the company in 2012 much before CBI raided his house.

The MP, however, said that the money recovered from his residence was his personal property and had nothing to do with a ponzi firm accused of duping investors.

"The cash seized from my residence by the CBI was my personal money. It has nothing to do with the ponzi scam," Hansda told reporters after the CBI interrogated him at its state headquarters here for about four hours.

Three other persons including Nabadiganta Capital Service's CMD Anjan Baliarsingh, were also questioned in connection with the chit fund scam.

Claiming that he was unaware of the activities of the Service, Hansda said he had purchased some insurance policy from the company.

Asked about his involvement in the chit fund scam, Hansda said, "The court will decide who is involved in the scam."

"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", Hansda had maintained immediately after a raid on his house.

The case against the Nabadiganta Capital Services Limited is a part of probe into chit fund scam also known as Saradha scam.

A case of cheating has been registered by CBI against the Bhubaneshwar-based Capital Service which is one the the 44 companies mentioned in the Supreme Court order directing the agency to probe the scam, CBI sources said.