Saradha scam: CBI questions former Assam Health Minister

CBI today questioned former Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in connection with its probe in the Saradha chit fund scam.

CBI sources said Sarma was asked to appear before the Special Investigation Team headed by Joint Director Rajiv Singh at the CGO Complex in Kolkata.

Sarma, who appeared in the morning, is being questioned for his purported proximity with Saradha group chief Sudipta Sen, the sources said.

The agency might also ask him about his alleged role in allowing Saradha to spread its network in Assam and his alleged involvement in business activities of the ponzi company under probe, they said.

Sarma was a powerful minister in the Tarun Gogoi Cabinet since 2001 but was dropped by the Chief Minister after he spearheaded a campaign to dislodge Gogoi.

The agency had searched his premises in connection with the scam probe along with former minister Anjan Dutta, who was recently questioned as well, and singer Sadananda Gogoi, who has been arrested by CBI.

There are four FIRs against Saradha Group in which it is alleged that thousands of investors were allegedly duped by 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 CBI team investigating the matter.

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

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