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Bhubaneswar: Duped investors of Vista management Services from four districts of the State today lodged complaints with the Economic Offence Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch alleging nexus between some ministers and political leaders and officials of the chit fund company.
Source said more than 50 depositors from Nuapada, Kalahandi, Bolangir and Ganjam districts submitted documents including photos of ministers and leaders from different parties at the company’s functions to the State investigating agency.
Prior to this, they met Opposition leader Narasingha Mishra and briefed him about their ordeals.
While some depositors point fingers towards minister Pushpendra Singhdeo and Hitesh Bagarti, the Opposition leader held a former minister and sitting MP responsible for the chit fund scam.
“Hitesh Bagarti had attended a function in Khariar. Pushpendra Singhdeo and AU Singhdeo were also in attendance at the company’s function in Bhawanipatna and Bolangir respectively. After seeing this, locals subsequently believed the government might be involved in the company. Hence, people invested in the company,” said Purnachandra Sahu from Khariar, a depositor.
By showing the photographs of the functions, the chit fund company officials created faith among locals, another depositor added.
“As political heavyweights are involved in the scam, attempt was made to suppress the case. These allegations from depositors are enough for taking action against them,” said the Opposition leader.
Meanwhile, refuting the charges minister Singhdeo said, “Once I attended a function of Vista on invitation in 2010. However, if someone has done something wrong while using the photograph of the function, I cannot help in that case.”
BJD MP AU Singhdeo said, “When the investigation is going on, he (Narasingha Mishra) is trying to influence the probe. Let him have patience as things will be clear in coming days.”
Notably, last month, Vista MD Deb Kumar Panda was arrested by the Crime Branch for duping investors.
