Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday questioned former Congress minister Matang Singh in connection with its probe into the multi-crore Saradha Ponzi scam case.
Official sources said Mr. Singh was questioned by ED sleuths in the national capital and his statement was recorded under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
“Singh fully cooperated with us and gave replies to a number of questions with regard to the money laundering probe into the Saradha chit fund scam case,” sources said.
Mr. Singh confirmed to PTI that he has “cooperated” with the investigators as it was his “duty” to do so.
“I have not done anything wrong. I have nothing to hide. I have also assured that I will pay whatever amount is (deemed to be paid) by me in this case,” he added.
Sources said the questioning lasted for over an hour and Mr. Singh provided details as to his financial dealings with the defunct group as also other financial information pertaining to his association with the group.
Mr. Singh, a former Cabinet Minister and Member of Parliament from Assam, was questioned in connection with his alleged dealings with the media business of Saradha Group, which was floated by its owner Sudipta Sen.
The case, which will now be probed by CBI, is also under investigation by various police units of West Bengal, Assam and Odisha.
The ED, which has registered a case under PMLA in the alleged Saradha fraud case, has also found evidence of a suspicious money trail of about Rs. 700-800 crore.
Sources said that the agency has also prepared an assessment report which pegs the scam’s value and loss to investors at Rs. 2,500 crore.
It is expected that the ED will file its first charge-sheet in the case by the end of July.
