Chit fund scam: OCA Secy Behera quizzed by CBI twice in a day

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Cricket Association (OCA)’s secretary Ashirbad Behera appeared before officials of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) here twice on Sunday for questioning in connection with his alleged links with chit fund company Artha Tatwa Group (AT).

Besides Behera, five functionaries of OCA also reached the CBI office for quizzing in the evening.
Earlier in the day, Behera, who reached the central probing agency’s office at around 10.30am, was allowed to go after a grilling for two and half hours.

OCA’s accountant and arrested builder Sagar Ray were also questioned by CBI regarding their alleged complicity in AT Group scam.

Source said CBI officials asked the OCA secretary on the links between AT Group and OCA and how much money the ponzi firm had invested during first season of Odisha Premiere League (OPL) which was organised by OCA in 2011.

Behera was also quizzed in presence of arrested Ray, who was co-owner of cricket team Bhubaneswar Jaguars that participated in OPL-I, sources added.

On August 17 this year, the central investigating agency raided Behera’s house and OCA office in Cuttack and seized some incriminating documents.

OCA said it received Rs 1 crore from AT Group as the ponzi firm was title sponsor of OPL-I. The amount was spent on organizing OPL-I and sponsoring some junior cricketers to undergo training under former Odisha coach Michael Bevan in Australia, the state cricket’s body added.

CBI officials also questioned Behera’s son Sanjay Behera, Odisha Football Association’s Secretary, earlier.