Saradha scam: CBI questions former Assam minister Anjan Dutta

CBI on Monday questioned former Assam Minister and Congress leader Anjan Dutta in connection with its probe in the Saradha chit fund scam in which thousands of investors were allegedly duped. Dutta was summoned at the CGO complex in Kolkata for questioning, CBI sources said.

An MLA from Amguri in Assam, Dutta's residence was searched by the agency on August 28, the sources said. Dutta is considered a Gogoi loyalist who handled important portfolios like transport.

CBI sources said Dutta's business dealing with Saradha promoter Sudipta Sen came under the scanner as he used to publish material for Saradha group. Popular Assamese singer Sadananda Gogoi has already been arrested by CBI in connection with the scam. There are four FIRs against Saradha Group in which it is alleged that thousands of investors were allegedly duped by the company officials and their associates who swindled their deposits.

Besides, there are 44 FIRs in Odisha against ponzi companies. The Supreme Court had handed over the Saradha chit fund scam probe to CBI and asked the State governments to provide all logistical help to the agency team investigating the matter.

CBI has formed a Special Investigating Team (SIT) headed by Joint Director Rajiv Singh to probe the role of Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and RBI.