Chit fund scam accused blames Trinamool MPs

The promoter of a collapsed chit fund that has bankrupted small depositors in West Bengal and generated a swirling political controversy of potentially national proportions has alleged in a letter to the CBI that two Trinamool Congress MPs took vast sums from him on various occasions and later forced him to transfer the ownership of various media organisations at throwaway prices. In an 18-page letter, dated April 6, Sudipta Sen, Chairman and Managing Director of the Saradha Group, accuses the two Trinamool leaders, Kunal Ghosh and Srinjay Bose, of approaching him, citing their close links to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. He also alleges that Nalini Chidambaram, wife of Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, who was Union Home Minister at the time, sought his help for the establishment of a television channel in north-east India. Assurance The agreement assured him that “they will protect my business from the government ” and “a smooth passage,” the letter states adding that “they assured me that they have close connection with the present Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee.” In his letter, Mr. Sen threatens that he may commit suicide “because I am feeling helpless” and cannot refund the “entire public money which has been collected in my name” that was put at risk by “unscrupulous persons and cheats in society.” “My overall business due to the media entry, extortion from the above named persons and blackmailed my own staff and executives,” it adds.