West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee protesting against the Centre's Land Bill in Kolkata on 8 April, 2015 (Photo: Press Trust of India)
After what seemed like a lull in CBI investigations into the Saradha chit fund scam, the spotlight is back on the case, particularly on the ruling Trinamool Congress' links with it.
The CBI has written to the Allahabad Bank in Kolkata where the Trinamool and associated organisations have a total of 21 bank accounts. The records reportedly show that on March 27 last year, two deposits were made into the party account of Rs 1 crore each. The deposits were allegedly made in cash.
CBI sources said the notice had been sent to ascertain the quantum of funds maintained in these accounts and also the sources which they came from.
The CBI has reportedly prepared a questionnaire for the Trinamool and will try and meet its leaders soon for clarifications.
Trinamool MP Derek O'Brien has issued a statement in response saying, "Harassment continues. There are lots of pesky questions on Trinamool accounts. Big parties and leaders amass billions, little guys get the question. Before questioning us, question yourselves and your daylight dacoity to fund multi-billion dollar election campaign. Trinamool accounts are transparent, there is nothing to hide."
But that has not stopped the Opposition from attacking the state government. "Two crore rupees deposited in cash on one day, the Trinamool must explain this. We believe this is the tip of an iceberg," CPM's Surya Kanta Mishra said.
Rahul Sinha of the BJP said, "How can a party get so much money in cash? It is all Saradha money."
In March, the CBI, which is investigating the Saradha scam on orders of the Supreme Court, had sought details of Trinamool's income and expense accounts from 2010 to 2014. There was some delay in the party's response because of change in its general secretary from Mukul Roy to Subrata Bakshi. Finally on April 9, the Trinamool had submitted the accounts to the CBI.