AT group chief attempts suicide in Jharpada jail

Bhubaneswar: Artha Tatwa (AT) group chief Pradip Sethi, who is presently lodged in Jharpada circle jail, reportedly attempted suicide by slashing his wrist late on Saturday night.

Reacting to the development, Jharpada jail superintendent said, “Nothing major has happened to Pradip. He is safe. His suicide bid was just to threaten the jail authorities.”

“He is in the ward after getting required treatment from the jail doctor. An extra warder has been deployed to keep an eye on him,” the superintendent added.

Sources said Sethy's wife visited the jail on Sunday morning to enquire about his health. However, she was not allowed to meet her husband as public meeting is prohibited on holidays.

Sethy has been in jail since May 2013 after he was arrested by the state Police Crime Branch.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which took over the probe into the chit fund scam in the state following the direction of Supreme Court, has estimated that Aartha Tatwa (AT) group defrauded thousands of depositors of a total of about Rs 1,200 crore.