In another development in the ongoing probe into the multi-crore chit fund scam in the State, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday said it would issue fresh summons to ruling BJD MLAs and former Ministers Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak and Arun Sahu to appear before it personally.
The CBI’s response reportedly came after the duo’s failure to appear before the Central investigating agency earlier. Sahu had been asked to appear personally on January 28 whereas Nayak was summoned for January 30 in earlier notices by the CBI in connection with the Seashore chit fund scam.
In reaction to the development, Finance Minister Sashi Bhusan Behera said that issuing of summons does not mean that somebody is guilty. During time of elections, there are lots of such allegations and counter-allegations.
However, Congress leader Suresh Routray said the CBI notice is the effect of AICC president Rahul Gandhi’s statement at a public meeting in Bhubaneswar recently where he said the CBI remote is in the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi by which he makes the State Government dance to his tune.
BJP leader Pratap Sarangi said Rahul Gandhi’s ‘remote’ statement and issuing of summons by the CBI to the BJD leaders are mere coincidence.