With the CBI Chief Judicial Magistrate allowing the Central investigating agency to take Artha Tatwa CMD Pradip Sethy on remand for 10 days, the people having links with the scam master are in a state of panic.
Sethy, who has reportedly distributed Rs65 crore among some influential people including politicians, bureaucrats and media house owners for getting protection for his activities, is likely to tell the CBI the names of these beneficiaries.The tainted political leaders and officers are in a state of scare since the recent CBI raids on Banki BJD MlA Pravat Kumar Tripathy and Mayurbhanj BJD MP Ram Chandra Hansda in connection with their alleged involvement with the AT Group.
The VIP beneficiaries have reasons for worry after Sethy told the media outside the CBI court that as many as 55 persons had taken Rs65 crore from his firm in the form of loans that were never paid back, donations and protection money.CBI officials, on their part, made it clear that they are taking the job seriously and would do investigation with all sincerity.
The politicians, particularly of the ruling BJD, had so far been happy that the AT’s case was being investigated by the Commisisonrate of Police and not even by the Crime Branch of the State police.Now in the changed circumstances, the case has gone to the CBI, which seems determined to probe it to its logical conclusion.
During his 10-day remand, Sethy is expected to reveal the names, indication of which has been given by him before being taken on remand.