Ponzi chit fund scam: Welcome CBI search, will help in truth to come out: MP Mohapatra

Bhubaneswar: Rajya Sabha MP Pyarimohan Mohapatra, whose residence here was searched by CBI on Tuesday in connection with the multi-crore rupees ponzi scam, said some people have launched a "campaign" against him and the searches will help in bringing out the truth.

Speaking to reporters after the investigators left his house, Mohapatra said, "I welcome the CBI's search at my residence. They (CBI team) searched my residence this morning and have taken away some document including my bank pass book, property records, party documents and others."

Asked why the searches were conducted, he said, "There was no mention of the reason on the search warrant given to me. Ask CBI people why they searched my house."

Mohapatra, who is the president of Odisha Janmorcha, said, "I am happy that the real picture will now come to the fore. Some people have launched a campaign against me. Now people can now what is what."

Claiming that he had no link with any ponzy scheme companies, Mohapatra said he would like to cooperate with CBI to unearth the truth and was ready to cooperate with the investigating agency probing the scam as per the Supreme Court direction.

The MP had earlier admitted that he had met Seashore Group CMD Prashant Dash, who is now in jail. "I had met him (Dash) when he came to my house and proposed to set up a maize processing unit in Nabarangpur district. Then he (Dash) came to my house for the second time to invite me to a function."

Probing the multi-crore rupees ponzi scam, CBI today carried out searches in four cities in connection with its probe into the Seashore group's alleged chit fund scam. The places searched by the CBI included residence of Mohapatra in Delhi and Bhubaneswar and two retired IAS officers from Odisha, official sources said.