Bid to stall Matang's arrest under govt scanner

The Centre is looking into reported “attempts” by a top Union Home Ministry official and a CBI Joint Director to prevent the arrest of former Congress minister Matang Sinh in the Saradha scam.

Sinh was arrested on Saturday and there were claims that a top home ministry official telephoned a CBI official to stop Sinh from being arrested. Sinh was a minister in P V Narasimha Rao’s council of ministers.

Sources said the CBI has sent a report to the Prime Minister’s Office in this regard while Home Minister Rajnath Singh was briefed about the incident. Home Secretary Anil Goswami was not available for comments.

Rajnath is examining the matter and he may ask the official to clarify his position, a senior official said. The home minister has told officials that the officer will face action if he is guilty.  

CBI spokesperson said the matter is under investigation and hence the agency will not comment further on the issue. Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said there has been nothing concrete against the official and whatever reports appeared in media were only “hearsay”.