Bhubaneswar: A day after raids were conducted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) at 36 places across Odisha in connection with the chit-fund scam case, a meeting in between the central probe agency’s SP Rajeev Ranjan and Director General of Police (DGP) KB Singh at the camp office here has left many tongues wagging on the subjects talked about during the discussion.
After the meeting with the DGP, the CBI SP told newsmen, “I did not discuss anything with Singh. It was only a courtesy visit to the DGP post New Year.”
Also read: CBI raids BJD MP Rabindra Jena's New Delhi residence
When asked about the protest held by the activists of student and youth wings of BJD in front of the CBI office in Bhubaneswar yesterday, Ranjan replied, “There was no law and order problem at all. The demonstration was a general type of protest and we have nothing to do with that.”
The CBI SP further emphatically stated, “We are not under any kind of pressure,” adding the CBI is an independent probing agency.
Meanwhile, BJD activists in Balasore staged demonstration protesting raid on MP Rabindra Jena's houses. The Lok Sabha member of BJD, who has moved High Court seeking anticipatory bail, alleged that the central probe agency is trying to put him in trouble as the panchayat election is approaching.
Senior BJP leader Bijay Mohapatra also came down heavily on the central agency and questioned its transparency in Odisha.
"The CBI is not at all doing an impartial probe in Odisha. Investigation delayed means evidence destroyed. CBI continues to commit mistake one after another which raised suspicion in the minds of people", Mohapatra said, terming the raids as mere drama.
"CBI has lost all morality and interest to investigate. It has been enacting drama for last three years. Who barred them (CBI officials) to arrest the persons whose houses were raided? The chit fund scam probe in Odisha chit fund could have completed so early. Will it take three years for investigation?, he questioned.
His party State general secretary Prithivraj Harichandan, however, has defended the investigating agency’s move. "The CBI is probing the case on its own style. We should not pass any comment on it and question on its efficiency", Harichandan added.