The CBI arrested Trinamul Congress Rajya Sabha MP Srinjoy Bose Friday after interrogating him for over five hours in connection with Saradha chit fund scam.
The CBI’s special investigation team began grilling him from 11 am for the next five hours. Mr Bose however failed to explain why he took Rs 60 lakhs per month from Saradha Group chairman Sudipta Sen in a deal between Saradha and Sangbad Pratidin to run a Bengali news channel: Channel 10, sources revealed. Mr Sen earlier claimed to the CBI that Mr Bose blackmailed him often.
In his letter to the CBI before his arrest he wrote that suspended Trinamul Rajya Sabha MP Kunal Ghosh and Mr Bose “made agreements with Pratidin that I shall pay `60 lacs per month to Pratidin...” Mr Sen added, “Pratidin has also given me assurance that execution of this agreement they will protect my business from the government ie state government and also Central government and I will be able to get a smooth passage and they assured me that they have very close connection with present CM of West Bengal i.e. Mamata Banerjee.”
He also alleged that for the next two years Mr Bose took `20 crore from him. Sources revealed the MP, instead of revealing how he spent the money, repeatedly changed his statements and could not submit the necessary financial documents to the CBI.
After the marathon questionning, Mr Bose was arrested and was booked in Saradha Realty case on “criminal conspiracy, misappropriation of funds and deriving undue financial benefits” charges. A senior CBI officer described him as an “influential figure whoplayed a key role in the larger conspiracy”.