Saradha scam: CBI names former minister Matang Sinh in charge sheet

Kolkata, Apr 17: The Central Bureau of Investigation on Friday filed a charge sheet naming former union minister Matang Sinh and four of his companies in connection with various offences in the multi-crore-rupee Saradha scam.

In a supplementary charge sheet filed in a court here, the CBI also named Shibnarayan Das -- an advisor of Saradha chief and scam kingpin Sudipta Sen.

"Sinh and his 4 companies -- NE multimedia, NE Television, Positive Radio and Impulse Production -- have been charged under various sections including cheating and conspiracy," a CBI officer said.

"Shibnarayan Das, one of the original conspirators, has also been charged with criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust by public servant under the Prize Chits & Money Circulation (Banning) Act," added the officer.

Sinh, a former minister of state for parliamentary affairs in the P.V. Narasimha Rao government (1991-96), was arrested on January 31 by the CBI. [BJP rejects TMC charge of PM's hand behind CBI notices]

Sudipta Sen, now behind bars, in a letter to the CBI, had accused Sinh of cheating him of Rs.28 crore.

Sen had also accused Sinh's wife Manoranjana of duping him of Rs.25 crore in return for some shares in a TV channel owned by her.

The CBI had earlier grilled Manoranjana besides attaching Sinh's properties, and raiding his offices and residences.

Shibnarayan Das, said to have convinced Sen to launch the ponzi schemes, was arrested by the CBI on January 17.

IANS