Rose Valley scam: Two ex-ministers in CBI net

Agartala, April 24 : In a significant development the Central Bureau of Investigation has served notice to two former CPI(M) minister for interrogation in connection with the Rose Valley Chit Fund case.

 Bijita Nath, the former social welfare minister was interrogated earlier also but this time the premier investigating agency brought the former finance minister Badal Choudhury too in the net.

It is learnt that Sudip Roy, SP, CBI in a letter to the speaker of the state assembly Rebati Mohon Das sought his permission for interrogating the two former ministers who are currently member of the state legislative assembly. Separate notice has been sent to the concerned persons too.

As per the letter the CBI told Ms Nath to make her available in her house at Kadamtala in Dharmanagar for interrogation. They will interrogate Badal Choudhury at the MLA hostel where he resides in Agartala on April 26.  While contacted by the reporters Ms Nath admitted that she received notice. Badal Choudhury could not be contacted.

Interestingly, the CBI also wanted to know who the private secretary to the then finance minister Badal Choudhury was from 26th August to 2008 and requested concern department to send him to the CBI office at Gorkha Basti in Agartala at 2.30 pm on April 26 and to co-operate with the investigating officer.

It may be recalled that the CBI interrogated Bijita Nath and another senior CPI(M) leader Gautam Das earlier too. However, both of them said it was not interrogation. 'CBI officers only asked some question and we have given satisfactory reply', they then said.