In the eye of the storm for his alleged links to the Saradha group West Bengal Transport Minister Madan Mitra who was discharged from State run SSKM hospital on Wednesday said that he is ready to face questioning by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Mr. Mitra, an important Minister in the Cabinet headed by Mamata Banerjee was asked by the CBI to appear on November 21 but the Minister admitted to the hospital said that he was undergoing treatment.
“Whenever the CBI calls me, I will go and say to them whatever I have to. There is no reason that I should be arrested or harassed,” Mr Mitra told a journalists after reaching his residence from the hospital.
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The Minister’s former confidential assistant Bapi Karim was questioned by the CBI in the past on several occasions.
“ I have not taken a penny of Saradha money,” Mr Mitra said. Though he admitted that he went to an event organised by Saradha group but said that he did not have an idea about non-banking financial companies ( NBFC) then.
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Asked about son his Swarup Mitra links to another Ponzi company Mr Mitra threatened to quit as a Minister if his or his son's links to Saradha or any other ponzi company are established.
He refused to comment when asked on why senior All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) leadership did not visit him in the hospital or what was reaction of party chairperson Mamata Banerjee on his summon.
Mr Mitra said that contrary to reports that he is scared to face the CBI, he is claustrophobic because of his ailment.
“Today I am feeling slightly better. In fact, I only told the medical board that I am feeling better and if you wish you could release me. Accordingly, I was released and now I am at my home,” the Minister said.
Earlier, two MP’s of AITC Kunal Ghosh and Srinjoy Bose have been arrested in connection with the Saradha scam.