Kolkata, July 26: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday summoned Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien in connection with the Rs. 10,000-crore Saradha chit fund scam. O’ Brien was asked to appear before the investigation agency in the Third week of August. The TMC MP is likely to be questioned about some financial transactions noticed by the CBI officials in the bank account of Jago Bangla, a mouthpiece of the party. O’Brien is the publisher of the newspaper. Rajeev Kumar, Former Kolkata Police Chief Reports to MHA After EC Relieved From Duty as Additional Director General of CID.

Editor of the newspaper, Subrata Bakshi was summoned by CBI months ago to seek clarifications. A senior CBI official told NDTV, “We are probing certain transactions recorded in the bank accounts of the party's mouthpiece, Jago Bangla. That's why Derek O'Brien has been asked to join the investigation and provide clarifications.”

The agency is also investigating links of arrested Bengali film producer Shrikant Mohta to the promoters of Rose Valley, a company accused in the scam. According to reports, Mohta had allegedly cracked a deal of Rs 25 crore with the promoters of Rose Valley and a portion of this money is suspected to have been diverted in 'Jago Bangla' account. Saradha Chit Fund Scam: Rajeev Kumar, Former Kolkata Police Chief, Issued Lookout Notice By CBI.

Meanwhile, O'Brien alleged that the CBI notice was sent to him as the party opposed amendments to the Right to Information Act. Earlier, the TMC MP was to appear before the CBI for questioning in February, but he asked to postpone questioning citing parliamentary obligations. According to reports, The CBI may also question O'Brien regarding the sale of several paintings of Mamata Banerjee which were purchased by owners of several ponzi scam companies allegedly at a huge price.

Former Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar is also an accused in the case. In February this year, the stand-off which took place between Narendra Modi-led central government and West Bengal’s Mamata Banerjee government brought the two multi-crore ponzi scams - Saradha and Rose Valley - into the mainstream of the political discourse. A political row erupted over the probe agency’s move to question the Kolkata Police Commissioner in connection with the Saradha Chit Fund case on February 3.

(With inputs from PTI)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 26, 2019 11:18 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).