The Tripura Government has decided to hand over all the 74 cases related to the Chit fund scam to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The cases were being probed by a Special Investigation Team (SIT), formed by the Tripura High Court, until now.
An official release by the Home Department of the state government stated, “Further, the State Government has decided to hand over the remaining 63 NBFC cases that are being investigated by the SIT for further CBI investigation. Accordingly, a proposal has already been sent to the Centre, Department of Personnel and Training, on April 19 requesting for investigation by CBI in respect of 63 NBFC cases.”
The head of SIT and Inspector General of Police, K.V. Srijesh said, “We have almost completed our investigation. Only seven to eight cases are pending. Now the State government has recommended all the cases to be taken up by the CBI. There is nothing much (to say) from our side.”
Former Finance Minister, Badal Choudhury, said he would resign as an MLA if any links are discovered to prove his involvement in the scams. He further stated, “Rose Valley chief Goutam Kundu is in CBI custody now. I asked them to get details of those involved in chit fund scam in Agartala. There are many in Tripura who took money from Rose Valley. The real culprits should be brought to justice.”
The chit fund scam is one of the many controversies which dented ex-Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar’s clean image. BJP President Amit Shah had claimed during his campaign ahead of the Assembly elections that many Tripura Ministers who were involved in the scam would be sent to jail should the BJP come to power.
