CBI arrests film producer Shrikant Mohta in Kolkata

CBI arrested Shrikant Mohta, the owner of major Bengali film production house Shree Venkatesh Films for his alleged involvement in a case of fraud. The incident took place in the afternoon when a team of CBI officials arrived at Mohta’s office in South Kolkata for interrogation.

According to CBI sources, Mohta was initially detained and taken to the CBI office in Salt Lake on the eastern fringes of the city. “Mohta was arrested after we found several inconsistencies in his statement during interrogation,” a senior CBI official said.

CBI sources further revealed that Mohta had taken about RS 25 crore from jailed Gautam Kundu, owner of the Rose Valley Group which was involved in a chit fund scam. But Mohta did not produce any of the films and instead threatened Kundu when he demanded his money back. "Mohta used to threaten Kundu by claiming that he is well connected to several influential people,” said the CBI official.

The arrest took place after a series of dramatic turn of events during the day. According to sources when CBI officials arrived at Mohta’s office he called up the local Kasba Police Station alleging that some people had forcefully entered his office.

“Soon after a team of police officials arrived at the office. But they left after seeing that CBI officials were there,” said the CBI source. Mohta will be produced before a Bhubaneswar.

Opposition parties latched on to the development to target West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Both Congress and CPI(M) alleged that Mohta was close to the Chief Minister and the incident has once against exposed the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).

TMC secretary general and Education Minister Partha Chatterjee denied the allegation.