The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday interrogated money collection company Astha International State chief Subhranshu lenka at the Jharapada Special Jail here. lenka has been lodged at the jail since his arrest in June 2013.
According to sources, a three-member CBI team grilled lenka for four hours. A trial court here has allowed the agency, probing the multi-crore chit fund scam, to interrogate lenka for two days.
Sources said the CBI officials interrogated lenka on financial transactions of the company and his links with influential persons.
On February 23, the Central Bureau of Investigation had questioned Chandrasekhar lenka, brother of Subhransu, over the financial transactions of the firm at its office here.
Chandrasekhar, who appeared before the investigating agency for the first time, was questioned about whether he had done any fiscal transactions with his brother Subhransu, who was arrested by the
Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Crime Branch on June 8, 2013 on the charge of embezzling about Rs 100 crore from investors in the State.
Astha International had opened two offices in Bhubaneswar and Brahmapur in 2010 and duped investors of more than Rs 100 crore promising them to give high returns under various schemes. The ponzi firm had spread its operations to West Bengal too.
Meanwhile, Seashore CMD Prashant Dash told reporters here that Subhankar Naik stated to be the middleman between him and influential persons, including IAS and IPS officers, was only a depositor.
“Subhankar Nayak is a depositor, not a middleman,” said Dash while being taken to court here.
He further claimed that his company had no link with IPS officers. “The Central Bureau of Investigation must interrogate all accused, and depositors should be given their money,” said Dash.