CBI raids residence of MLAs and former cops in connection with Saradha scam

GUWAHATI: The CBI on Thursday carried out search operations in several high profile locations in Guwahati in connection with multi crore Saradha scam.

Sources said CBI sleuths carried out search in the residence former ministers and congress MLA, Himanta Biwa Sarma and Anjan Dutta. It also carried out search in media establishment owned by Sarma’s wife.

Residence of former Director General of Police, Shankar Baruah was also searched.

Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi said that it was the State Government which had handed over the chit fund cases to the CBI, including that of Saradha in 2013 much before the Supreme Court entrusted the investigating agency to probe into Saradha scam.

Gogoi said that the State Government had handed over the CBI to probe into 15 chit fund cases, including that of Saradha. Gogoi said that out of the 15 cases, the CBI took up two cases only.

Gogoi said that the State Government had handed over the cases to the CBI so that the duped poor investors get back their hard-earned money and the scamsters be brought to book.

Assam Government handed over the cases to the CBI vide letter No. PLA(V) 151/2012/186 dated 6th May, 2013 while the Supreme Court entrusted the cases to the investigating agency on 9th May, 2014.

Saradha group CMD, Sudipta Sen in his letter to CBI has named politicians, bureaucrats for fleecing money from him.

Gogoi said, "It is with immense pride I want to point out that there is at present no tainted ministers in my council of ministers."