WB: Madan Mitra gets bail, CBI to move higher court

Kolkata, Oct 31: West Bengal minister Madan Mitra who was arrested by the CBI in connection with the Saradha scam 10 months ago was today granted bail by a court, which the TMC said vindicated its stand that none of its members were involved in the scam while the investigation agency said it would move a higher court.

Mitra was granted bail by ACJM (in-charge) of Alipore District and Sessions Court Partha Das on condition that he would furnish a bond of Rs two lakh, cannot leave the state, submit his passport and cooperate with the investigation process.

Trinamool Congress secretary general Partha Chatterjee told a news conference that Mitra's bail not only vindicated the party's stand that none of its members were involved in the scam, but it brought a sense of relief as well.

"CBI had falsely implicated Mitra in the Saradha scam and his bail today is a testimony to that," he said adding efforts to tarnish Trinamool Congree's image would not fructify.

On the other hand, CBI's investigating officer dealing with the case told PTI that the agency would move a higher court next week seeking cancellation of Mitra's bail.

"The probe has reached an advanced stage and the bail may jeopardise the process", the officer said.

Mitra was named in the supplementary chargesheet submitted by CBI in court as a beneficiary. The minister was arrested in December 2014 and was in jail custody since then.

PTI