New Delhi: In a landmark verdict, the Supreme Court today ordered CBI investigation against 44 chit-fund companies in Odisha and few others in Assam, Tripura and West Bengal including Saradha group which allegedly duped thousands of depositors of crores of rupees.
The Apex Court in its judgment said though the State police are currently investigating the case, there is question over the credibility of enquiry. The judges said “the involvement of higher-ups including politicians and aspects of money laundering” mandate a CBI inquiry.
“The money trail needs to be traced, the conspiracy angle needs to be probed properly. Not much headway has been made so far,” they added.
Earlier, the court, hearing on a PIL filed by Bhubaneswar-based campaigner Alok Jena, had concluded the hearing and reserved the judgment. State government’s counsel Gopal Subramanium had argued in favor State Crime Branch investigation, trying to convince the court that CBI probe is not required.
The central investigating agency had expressed its willingness to investigate the case in an earlier hearing.
