The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday questioned painter Shuvaprasanna for over five hours in connection with the multi-crore Saradha scam.
The painter, who skipped several summons earlier, was questioned regarding the sale of a television channel in which he held a stake, to Saradha group chairperson and managing director Sudipta Sen. Mr. Sen is behind bars in connection with the scam since March 2013.
According to the ED officials, Mr. Sen acquired the channel at a cost of Rs. 6 crore. Even after the transaction, the painter who earlier sold his shares to Mr. Sen, remained on the board of directors of the channel.
During the probe, the painter denied having signed documents between Saradha group and his company.
This is the second time that Mr. Shuvaprasanna, considered close to the State government, has been questioned by the ED. Earlier, the central agency had frozen certain bank accounts of the artist. In October 2014, ED officials conducted raids at the painter’s office in Salt Lake.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the State’s ruling party have distanced themselves from the painter.
This is the second time that the painter, considered close to State government, has been questioned by the ED. Earlier, the central agency has frozen certain bank accounts of the artist. In October 2014, ED officials conducted raids at the painter’s office in Salt Lake.
