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The setting in the morning was dramatic when Mitra reached the CBI office at 10:55 am, five minutes ahead of time. The CGO complex of the investigative agency in Salt Lake was teeming with policemen. Four of the five gates were closed, and bore a sign saying ‘all gates closed due to administrative reason’. The move was in anticipation of a ruckus by the minister’s followers.
Mitra was asked to appear before the CBI on Thursday but had sought a day’s time. It is understood he refused to answer several questions posed by the agency which precipitated the arrest, on prima facie evidence of criminal conspiracy, cheating and misappropriation, as well as deriving undue financial benefits from the Saradha group. The CBI also arrested Naresh Bhalotia, legal advisor of Sudipta Sen and Saradha group, on Friday, on charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating and diversion of funds.
Chief Minister Banerjee condemned the arrest. “The Trinamool Congress will hit the streets tomorrow (Saturday) in protest against the arrest. This is a dangerous and disastrous game. This is undemocratic, unethical and unconstitutional,” she told mediapersons.
Mitra had been served summons by the CBI last month. However, he evaded questioning on health grounds.
Mitra broke down after his arrest on Friday. “I heard he has been taken to SSKM hospital. I will go to SSKM to meet Madan Mitra. I dare Narendra Modi and Amit Shah to arrest me," Banerjee said.
Asked if the minister would resign, Banerjee said, “Out of courtesy, Mitra had submitted his resignation, but I will extend courtesy and not accept it. He continues as transport minister. This is a challenge from the central government. We are accepting the challenge. A new battle has begun. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will bite the dust in the coming elections. We do not seek power. We are ready to support any party which wants to fight against the BJP,” she said.
Mitra's name had cropped up after CBI interrogated his former aide, Bapi Karim, immediately after the agency took charge of the investigation. Among many other allegations, Mitra headed Saradha's employee union.
A video footage of Mitra started doing the rounds after the Saradha scam came to light. In the footage he was seen addressing depositors at a Saradha function dated July 29, 2009. “I am thankful to Sudipta Sen. He has proved himself by spreading his empire outside Bengal. I am proud the Saradha group has its roots in Bankura's Bishnupur, from where I have been elected to the Assembly," he was heard saying.
In May 2014, the Supreme Court had directed the CBI to probe the operations of deposit-taking firms, including Saradha. The apex court also wanted the agency to looking into the “larger conspiracy” angle.
Apart from Mitra, the other people with direct TMC links who have been arrested by the CBI are Srinjoy Bose, an MP and a former director general of the West Bengal police, Rajat Majumdar, and suspended MP Kunal Ghosh.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had earlier given Mitra, Bose and Ghosh a clean chit last year when she sarcastically directed a question to rival CPI(M): “Kunal chor, Tumpai (Srinjoy) chor, Mukul (Roy) chor, ami chor, aar apnara sobai sadhu? (Kunal a thief, Srinjoy a thief, Mukul a thief, I am a thief; and you are all saint?)”
On Thursday, the Opposition parties lost no time in pointing out that three of Trinamool leaders were behind bars. “When will the others join them?" asked CPI(M) leader Md Salim.
Chargesheet in Saradha Tours and Travels case:
Sudipta Sen, promoter, Saradha Group
* Debjani Mukherjee, key-aide of Sudipta Sen
* Kunal Ghosh, former TMC MP, CEO of Saradha's media wing
Chargesheet in Saradha Realty case:
* Sudipta Sen, promoter, Saradha group
* Debjani Mukherjee, key-aide of Sudipta Sen
* Debabrata Sarkar, East Bengal club official
* Rajat Majumder, TMC leader and former West Bengal police chief
* Sandhir Agawrwal, businessman
* Sajjan Agarwal, businessman and father of Sandhir Agawrwal
* Sadananda Gogoi, Assamese singer
