**Bhubaneswar:** At a time when the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is grilling Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs Sudip Bandyopadhyay and Tapas Pal in connection with their alleged links with Rose Valley chit fund scam, Odisha Convener of TMC Arya Kumar Gyanendra met Sudip at the office of the central investigating agency here on Friday.
Gyanendra, who says he was earlier working with CBI, faced no problem in meeting the TMC leader at the office.
“I have a CBI background. I was working as senior special counsellor with CBI. Therefore, I have no problem in coming here. I knew the SPs appointed here and one who came from West Bengal. Today, I met Sudip Bandopadaya and had a discussion with him and he is fine now,” Gyanendra told media persons.
In major development on the day, another arrested TMC MP Tapas Pal was sent to judicial custody here till January 19 as his bail plea verdict has been reserved by the Special CBI Court here.
Tapas, who had been arrested before Sudip, was re-produced before the Special CBI Court here after completion of his second phase 3-day remand. His first phase CBI remand was of 4 days.
On the day, the lawyer of Tapas moved bail plea.
Before the verdict, his lawyer Sabyasachi Banerjee had told media, “We’ve applied for bail. So far my client is concerned, the investigation had started March 2015. He was also summoned in October 2015. After that nothing happened for a year. Suddenly, after a year in the end of 2016, he has been picked up by the CBI. All related papers he has already submitted. CBI has not asked for police custody, only judicial custody. It is an admitted position that he is clinically ill. Let’s see what the court order is. He was director for five and half months which is on record. He is still on heavy medication and even CBI is providing it. My client should be released on bail as CBI has not sought police custody rather judicial custody.”
The CBI on Friday also questioned B.B. Mishra, President of Mumbai Odia Mahasangha, a social organisation, in relation with Sea Shore chit fund scam.
Mishra, who is also the editor of Mumbai Odia Samaj, a news paper, said he has no links with any chit fund firms after facing interrogation by the investigating sleuths.
“I am president of Odisha State Press Club and working for various organisations as social worker. I have no connection with any chit fund. Sea Shore had given me Sudramuni Award for my service to Odia people who are in need of any help in Mumbai. After getting notice from CBI, I came here as part of the investigation process. I am working as editor of Mumbai Odia Samaj, a news paper and president of Mumbai Odia Mahasangha President,” Mishra clarified.
