Following raids on different chit fund companies in the district here, including at Sahadevkhunta, Bhograi, Jaleswar, Baliapal and Soro on Friday last, the police arrested 35 branch heads after registering equal number of cases in different police stations. Around 100 grams of gold, 5.5 kg of silver and about Rs 60 lakh cash were seized during the raid.
In another significant development, the deposits by Green Ray International, Cosmo Rose International and Rose Valley to the tune of over Rs 3 crore in different banks were frozen.
The police teams, apart from seizing about 110 computers, also seized documents, including money receipts and brochures from the offices of different companies.
“We have registered 35 cases, while one more is under process against the Green Ray in Jaleswar. The chit fund company has several branches across India, which are now under verification. The seized computers and documents are under scrutiny as well. Besides seizing about Rs 60 lakh cash from different counters, we froze accounts containing amount to the tune of over Rs 3 crore of three prominent companies. 35 arrested persons would be forwarded to court by Saturday evening,” informed DSP Nagendra Nayak, adding cases have been registered under section 420, 120(b) of IPC and Prize Chit and Money Circulation (banning) Scheme Act, 1978.
In view of the current raid exercise, ADG (CB) BK Sharma is likely to visit Baleswar on Sunday.
Meanwhile, unable to bear the pressure of the investors, a person from Soro allegedly committed suicide on Saturday. Deceased Pradip Das (40), a native of Sarupada village under Soro police station limits, was working as an agent for various chit fund companies, mainly for the ‘Sea Shore, Real Vision and Kolkata Wire Industries. He killed self by hanging.
His family members alleged due to the pressure, Das committed the suicide, while the Soro police began a probe into the matter after registering a case of unnatural death.