NEW DELHI: Directorate of Enforcement has attached movable and immovable assets worth of over Rs 6 crores of various individuals, including that of Nalini Chidambaram and former IPS and ex-CPM MP Debendranath Biswas among others, in connections with the multi-crore Saradha chit fund scam being probed on laundering of money siphoned out of investment fund wherein thousands of common public had parked their lifetime earnings.
According to ED sources, the agency attached movable assets worth Rs 3.30 crore and immovable assets with a value of over Rs 3 crore in its ongoing investigation into the matter of Saradha Group of Companies under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. These properties were owned by the Saradha Group and other persons, who were beneficiaries of proceeds of crime generated by the Saradha Group of Companies.
The beneficiaries include Nalini Chidambaram, eminent lawyer and wife of ex-Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram, Debabrata Sarkar of East Bengal Club, Debendranath Biswas (Ex IPS and ex MLA CPM) and Anubhuti Printers and Publications owned by late Anjan Dutta, ex-Minister in Assam.
Saradha Group ran a chit fund scam with operations spread over the states of West Bengal, Assam and Orissa, till 2013. The quantum of total money mobilised by this group company is about Rs 2,459 crore out of which nearly Rs 1,983 crore remains unpaid to the depositors to date, excluding the interest amount.
The ED had registered a case against Saradha Group of Companies in 2013 on the basis of FIRs by Kolkata Police and CBI.
‘Saradha Group ran a chit fund scam till 2013’
Saradha Group ran a chit fund scam with operations spread over the states of West Bengal, Assam and Orissa, till 2013. The quantum of total money mobilized by this company is about Rs 2,459 crore out of which nearly Rs 1,983 crore remains unpaid to the depositors.