BHUBANESWAR: In a major turn of events, Rajya Sabha member Pyarimohan Mohapatra was questioned by Enforcement Directorate (ED) here on Monday for his alleged links with Seashore Group in the multi-hundred crore chit fund scam.
Mohapatra, who was earlier served a summon, was grilled for about two hours and 15 minutes at the ED office by a team of officers.
He, however, denied to divulge any details. “I cannot disclose anything beyond the fact that I submitted important documents. If the ED wants to divulge any details, it is up to the agency,” he told this paper.
Mohapatra’s interrogation comes exactly a week after Seashore Group chief Prashant Dash’s disclosure that raids on his company by the State Government had started days after the political coup that the erstwhile Biju Janata Dal leader attempted on May 29, 2012.
Dash, who was in custody of the ED till last Monday, was perceived as close to the Rajya Sabha member since the former’s company had partnered with various departments of the Odisha Government when Mohapatra was very much part of the ruling BJD and enjoyed strong political influence.
Senior BJD leader and Excise Minister Damodar Rout had also alleged that Dash was close to Mohapatra, a charge the Rajya Sabha member had refuted saying he knew Dash but never shared a close rapport. “But the Government went after people who were perceived close to me,” he had said.
The Odisha Jana Morcha (OJM) leader had cited two incidents where Dash had come to him in the past. In one instance, the Seashore Group head had approached him over establishment of a maize processing unit in Nabarangpur, while in the other, he was requested to be a guest at the official launch of the TV channel of the company. The function was attended by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik too.
The ED, which is after the money trail of Seashore Group, is reported to have found crucial information about several ruling party leaders from the 14-day remand of Dash. Currently, the Seashore Group chief is in custody of the Central Bureau of Investigation.