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Bhubaneswar: Chief of controversial non- banking financial institution (NBFI) Artha Tatwa (AT) group Pradip Sethi was sent to 14-day judicial custody after his bail plea was rejected here on Monday.
Sethi, who was playing hide and seek with police for the past three months, was finally nabbed on charges of cheating investors last night and produced in a court here today.
"There are 11 criminal cases against Sethi in different police stations including three in Bhubaneswar. AT group has allegedly taken deposit of Rs 1.5 crore from the capital city," said Bhubaneswar DCP Nitinjit Singh adding that cases have been registered against him in Balasore, Kandhamal, Ganjam, Khurda, Mayurbhanj and some other districts.
Before being whisked away by the police, Sethi told reporters that AT group had taken help of certain politicians and other influential persons.
"Definitely they are involved," Sethi told reporters replying to a question on whether MLAs and ministers were also helping him in the illegal business.
Preliminary investigation by police showed that Sethi's AT group has allegedly duped investors to the tune of Rs 130 crore.
(With agency inputs)