Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers Srikant Jena has asked Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to step down from his post at least for one month in order to ensure a free and fair Crime Branch investigation into the chit fund scams in the State.
“There is ample evidence with the Crime Branch against the errant chit fund companies, its bosses and other influential people who were involved in this money duping scam. Hence, there is no necessity for a judicial probe. If the Chief Minister under whose control the CB is functioning does not step down, the CB should submit its investigation reports before the High Court and do its investigation under the court’s supervision to ensure early justice to the victim and strong action against those responsible,” said Jena. Jena also slammed the Chief Minister for his order for a judicial inquiry into the scams instead of a CBI probe.
“The judicial probe order is eyewash. Since the judicial probe is a delayed process and the High Court has no necessary infrastructure in this connection, the Chief Minister has done this only with a motive to save his Ministers and other influential people incolved in the scams,” said Jena. Jena also slammed Patnaik for attending Seashore TV’s launching programme whose owner has duped people of crores of rupees.