CBI questions Patnaik aide in chit-fund scam case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday interrogated Saroj Sahu, a close aide of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, in connection with the chit-fund scam.

Sahu is an office secretary at the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) headquarters here. He also functions in the same capacity from Naveen Niwas, Patnaik’s residence here. All press releases from the BJD office contain Sahu’s signature.

After his nearly-two-hour questioning at the CBI’s local office here, Sahu said he was not involved in the scam. “I am not involved in the chit-fund scam. I have replied to whatever questions the CBI officials asked me,” he said.

The interrogation immediately triggered adverse reaction from the Opposition parties. “The CBI has already reached the BJD president and the chief minister’s residence. His close aide Sahu was grilled today (Saturday). We are waiting for when Patnaik will face the CBI's interrogation,” Congress chief whip in the state Assembly, Tara Prasad Bahinipati, told reporters.