Artha Tatwa ponzi scam: SC directs Orissa High Court for expeditious disposal of CBI plea

The Supreme Court has directed the Orissa High Court to dispose of petition pertaining to multi-crore Artha Tatwa chit fund scam in an expeditious manner. 

A bench of Justices AS Bopanna and Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha issued the direction on September 12 while hearing the petitions filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against former Advocate General Ashok Mohanty, an accused in the ponzi scam.

Additional Solicitor General appearing on behalf of the petitioner contended that the hearing of petition against Ashok Mohanty is pending with the Special Court for a long time due to the interim order passed by the Orissa High Court. 

“Having heard learned Additional Solicitor General appearing on behalf of the petitioner, we see no reason to interfere in the matter at this stage considering the fact that the criminal revision petition is pending before the High Court. However, taking note of the concern expressed by learned ASG that matter is pending for a long time since the year 2018 and the further proceedings before the Special Court is held up, we request the High Court to consider and dispose of the petition in an expeditious manner,” the SC bench said.

“If for any reason the matter cannot be heard on merits for disposal, the request of the petitioner to vacate the interim order be considered as per law,” it added. 

The AT Group is accused of duping gullible investors in Odisha of more than Rs 500 crore.