JOIN USSaradha scam: Oppn seeks probe into role of Chidambaram's wife
While demanding a thorough probe into the Saradha chit fund scam, the BJP and the Left parties on Thursday also asked for investigation into the role of Nalini Chidambaram, wife of Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram.
They also demanded a statement from the finance minister. Saradha Group chairman Sudipta Sen had purportedly written a letter to the CBI naming Nalini Chidambaram among others.
BJP spokesperson Ravishankar Prasad said: “The whole chit fund issue needs to be properly investigated. A thorough probe into the issue is required in the wake of serious allegations cropping up against the lawyer who is married to a Congress minister.”
“This matter also requires a fair investigation, as to whether it was a simple professional advice or there was an element of quid pro quo. The issue is serious and we also expect the Union Finance Minister to clarify his stand before the nation,” he added.
Making similar demand, senior CPI leader D Raja said that the finance minister should speak on it.
“A thorough investigation should be done. Only then we can know who are involved. Finance minister should speak on it since his wife’s name has been mentioned,” Raja said.
However, sources close to Nalini Chidambaram rejected the allegation that she pressurised Saradha Group to invest in a northeast television channel. Instead, she advised the channel against accepting funds, the sources said.
Trouble also mounted on the Saradha Group with the Centre ordering a Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) probe into the issue and a special task force has been set up for the purpose.
The Enforcement Directorate has also registered a case under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) at its Guwahati office.
Meanwhile, protests continued in several parts of West Bengal and Assam over the collapse of the chit fund company.
Sudipta Sen, the prime accused, and two other accomplices were remanded to 14-day police custody by a court in Kolkata.