Extending the ambit of probe in the multi-crore Saradha ponzi scheme scam beyond the officials of the Saradha Group, the CBI conducted search operations in 30 locations in Kolkata, Delhi, Guwahati and Odisha on Thursday.
Twenty two of the locations searched by the snooping agency are located in this city, while four of the searched premises are in Delhi, three in Guwahati and one in Odisha, the CBI has said in a statement.
It said: “Searches have been conducted at offices as well as residential premises belonging to various persons with close links with the Saradha Group of Companies”. At least 15 teams of the CBI, comprising more than 40 officials, were involved in the day-long search in the city.
The Central agency was handed over the investigation in the scam in May by the Supreme Court. The main accused are in the custody of the investigation agency.
“During the searches, incriminating documents relating to various business transactions with companies concerned have been seized. The scrutiny of the seized documents is likely to provide important clues for further action in the cases,” the statement added.
In Kolkata, the residences of several high-profile people were searched. Those under the Central agency’s scanner included retired IPS officer Rajat Majumdar, a senior official of East Bengal club Debabrata Sarkar, and Ramesh Gandhi, known for his investments in coal and media. Mr. Gandhi was earlier arrested for coal and media related scams in Bengal and Bihar.
In Delhi, former MP, Matang Singh, and his estranged wife Manoranjana Singh’s office and residences were searched.
The residences of Piyali Sen and Subhojit Sen, wife and son of Saradha Group’s chief Sudipta Sen, along with the officials of a nationalised bank were also searched.
