CBI interrogates BJD MP Ramachandra Hansda in chitfund scam

BHUBANESWAR: BJD MP Ramachandra Hansda today informed the CBI that the money recovered from his residence in Mayurbhanj district was his personal property and nothing to do with Nabadiganta Capital Service, 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 grilled him at its state headquarters here for about four hours today.

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

Earlier, the central investigating agency had raided his house at Baripada on July 31 this year 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.

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 chitfund 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.