looking at the number of affidavits received by the Justice RK Patra Commission of Inquiry which is probing into the chit fund companies’ fraudulent activities in the State, it is quite evident that a large number of persons are affected by the unauthorised collection of public money.
The commission till date has received more than 40,000 affidavits and the number is still counting. It is expected that the commission may receive around one lakh affidavits as the last date for receiving the
Speaking to the media here on Monday, Justice Patra informed that there are lots of anomalies in the affidavits received till date. “Most of the affidavits have not been made in accordance to the rules governing it. While many affidavits have not been made before the designated magistrate or notary public, some of them have been filed without the requisite court fees. In many cases, only documents are submitted without the necessary statements of affidavits,” he informed.
Reiterating his earlier order, he has asked the persons wishing to be witnesses and examined by the commission should make their affidavits before the magistrates or notary public in plane papers affixing court fee stamp of Rs 3. He also made it clear that photocopies of the affidavits would not be entertained. He, however, was at pains to announce that all the improper affidavits would be summarily rejected.
It may be mentioned that in order to simplify the process of affidavits, the commission had earlier ordered that instead of non-judicial stamp papers, the witnesses could file their statement affidavits in plane paper with the requisite court fee. The Commission had invited affidavits since August 4 and had extended the deadline for filing the affidavits from August 31 to September 18.
The State Government in July appointed Justice Patra, former Chief Justice of Sikkim High Court, to head the one-man judicial panel to identify individuals and entities indulged in unauthorised collection of public deposits and find out involvement of influential persons in protecting and promoting such illegal activities.