NEW DELHI:The probe into the Saradha chit fund scam has taken a new twist after the allegation that a top Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) official tried to stall former Union Minister and Congress leader Matang Sinh’s arrest on January 31.
According to sources, the CBI had informed the PMO about the incident on Tuesday. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has also been briefed on the matter.
It has been alleged that the bureaucrat called up two top CBI officers before the arrest of Sinh. Rajnath is understood to have indicated that anyone found involved in any misdemeanour, will have to go. “The Home Minister is seized of the matter and could seek explanation from the bureaucrat concerned,” sources said.
However, CBI officers refused to comment on the issue saying that Sardha probe was on. “We cannot confirm whether a report regarding such calls was sent to the PMO because of the ongoing investigation in the case. Sinh was arrested because he was not cooperating,” a CBI officer said.
Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said that so far there has been nothing concrete against the official and at the moment it is only hearsay. “If allegation is substantive then it is a serious matter but at the moment it is only hearsay. Let concrete evidence come to us and then we will definitely take action. Let something come in writing first,” Rijiju said.
Matang Sinh was arrested by the CBI on charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating and misappropriation of funds in the Saradha case after a marathon interrogation at the agency’s Salt Lake office in Kolkata.