Section 420, 120(B) do not fit into case against me: Ashok Mohanty

BHUBANESWAR: Claiming that he had absolutely no role in the multi-crore chit fund scam in Odisha, former state advocate-general Ashok Mohanty today said section 420 and 120(B) of IPC did not apply in his case.

A conditional bail was granted to Mohanty on September 26 by a local court after he was arrested by the CBI for his alleged links with a ponzi company Artha Tatwa Group's CMD Pradip Sethi.

"I have purchased a house from Pradip Sethi who happens to be the CMD of Artha Tatwa Group. The house was in the name of Sethi and not in the name of AT Group. I have no transaction with Artha Tatwa Group," Mohanty said after appearing before the CBI officials here.

As per the condition of the bail, Mohanty appeared before the Special Investigating Team of the CBI. He was asked by the court to appear before the SIT every Sunday.

Claiming that he was innocent, Mohanty, a former president of the Orissa High Court Bar Association said: "I do not understand how section 420 of IPC is applicable to me. Have I cheated the depositors. How can CBI frame section 420 against me for purchasing a house from Sethi."

Similarly, Mohanty pointed out that section 120(B) is applicable in case of criminal conspiracy. "Did I conspire by purchasing a house from Sethi? How I become part of the conspiracy with AT Group," he asked.