West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addressing party workers
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, whose party lawmakers are being investigated in connection with the multi-crore Saradha Chit Fund scam, has hit out at the media for "turning us into thieves."
Speaking to workers of her Trinamool Congress on Wednesday, Ms Banerjee asserted that no one from her party had taken any chit fund money.
"There are many poor parties like us who have never stolen but the news media here has turned us into thieves. Who has taken Saradha money? Our party has not taken any chit fund money," said the Chief Minister.
The CBI, which is investigating the scam, arrested Trinamool leader Rajat Majumdar in September and questioned five other party MPs.
There is speculation that a top Trinamool leader and a state minister are also under scrutiny for their alleged involvement. Ms Banerjee said she could "prove with documents" that her party leaders were not involved.
"I hold no grudge against you, but please don't lie," she said, appearing to address the media.
The CBI, in its first charge sheet in the case, has named only one Trinamool leader, suspended MP Kunal Ghosh.
The Saradha scam is being investigated both in Bengal and Odisha.
The Saradha Group operated a Ponzi scheme offering massive returns of 40 per cent and more until it collapsed last year, leaving lakhs of small investors bankrupt in West Bengal and Odisha. The collapse triggered huge protests; three investors committed suicide.
The Supreme Court had in July ordered the CBI to probe "the involvement of higher-ups including politicians and aspects of money laundering."