Ganguly in soup over 1-card-1-nation scam

Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, who allegedly charged Rs 1 crore to attend and launch the fraudulent One-Card- One-Nation project (OCON), may be summoned by the Andhra Pradesh Police for questioning.

According to sources, authorities are planning to question Ganguly on the agreement that was reached between him and the OCON management. The CID sleuths might also quiz other celebrities who took part in the gala launch.

Investigating officers, who have laid their hands on the payment details, said that they have proof that Sourav was paid Rs 80,000 through a cheque. However they have not yet decided on summoning the former Indian Cricket Captain to Hyderabad. “However he will be called as a witness, not as an accused,” they added.

The project was in the presence of state IT minister Ponnala Laxmaiah, by a Hyderabad-based first generation entrepreneur Chanduri Venkata Koti Sai Kumar who allegedly swindled crores of rupees from the AP State Minorities Finance Corporation (ASMFC). Sourav Ganguly attended the launch function held at a star hotel and was supposed to act as the brand ambassador for the project.

The project, termed as solution for multiple cards was supposed to even integrate PAN, driving licence and ID cards into one.  The launch event on August  26 was followed by a gala cultural show which was attended by celebrities like Telugu actor Namitha, Indian Idol winner Sri Ramachandra and Telugu comedian Gundu Hanumantha Rao.

Sai Kumar, who was arrested by the police on October 12, confessed to the investigating agency during the interrogation that he had paid Rs 1 crore to Sourav.