CBI questions BJD MP Pyarimohan Mohapatra in connection with ponzi scam

BHUBANESWAR: Three days after searching his house, CBI today questioned Rajya Sabha MP Pyarimohan Mohapatra in connection with the multi-crore rupee chit-fund scam in Odisha.

Mohapatra, a former leader of the ruling BJD in Odisha, appeared at the state CBI headquarter here and was questioned for more than four hours by the investigators, sources said.

While emerging from the CBI office after his interrogation, Mohapatra, who is also president of Odisha Janmorcha, declined to share details, saying it would be inappropriate.

"Being an investigating agency, CBI keeps such matters secret. Therefore, I should not speak about it," he said, adding CBI can summon anyone if it feels that facts and information required by it could be obtained from him.

Mohapatra's appearance at the CBI office came after the sleuths of the central agency conducted searches at his residence in posh Sahid Nagar area here and in Delhi on November 18 following which the MP had claimed that some people have launched a "campaign" against him and the searches would help in bringing out the truth.

Earlier, the former BJD stalwart had been questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) here on November 17.

While welcoming CBI's search, Mohapatra had said that the searching team had taken away some document, including his bank pass book, property records and party documents.

Claiming that he had no link with any ponzi scheme companies, Mohapatra had said he would cooperate with CBI to unearth the truth.

The MP had earlier admitted that he had met Seashore Group CMD Prashant Dash, who was in jail. "I had met him (Dash) when he came to my house and proposed to set up a maize processing unit in Nabarangpur district. Then he (Dash) came to my house for second time to invite me to a function."

Meanwhile, ruling BJD MLA from Choudwar, Cuttack, Pravat Biswal appeared for questioning in the CBI office in the chit fund scam shortly after Mohapatra left the premises, the sources said.