Saradha scam: Bengal minister,MP grilled by CBI

Kolkata: West Bengal Textile Minister Shyamapada Mukherjee, Trinamool Congress MP Srinjoy Bose and Congress leader Somen Mitra Friday appeared before the CBI in connection with the multi-crore rupee Saradha scam.

Transport Minister Madan Mitra, who too has been summoned by the CBI, did not appear as he is being treated at the state-run SSKM Hospital for a breathing disorder. Mitra, who was admitted to a private nursing home since Tuesday, left the facility and reached SSKM Hospital Thursday afternoon. He was admitted to the Woodburn Ward, reserved for VIPs.

While Bose, questioned by the CBI at an earlier occasion, claimed he was called as a witness, Mukherjee said he was there to submit papers regarding a cement plant in Bankura district that he sold to the Saradha Group in 2009.

"I submitted some papers regarding the sale of the plant and replied questions about the deal. If the CBI needs to know anything more, I am willing to appear before it again," Mukherjee told reporters after leaving the CBI office here.

Former Trinamool MP Somen Mitra, who subsequently joined the Congress, appeared at the agency's office in the CGO Complex here.

"I was the first person to raise the issue of illegal chit fund companies and demand a CBI probe. I am happy that I have been called by the agency," said Somen Mitra before entering the CBI office.