Bhubaneswar: In a major achievement, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested an absconding accused in a chit-fund scam case involving alleged embezzlement of over Rs 17.22 crore collected from depositors.
Arrested accused Debabrata Dutta, who was then associated with M/s DNB Food Processing Pvt Ltd, allegedly entered into a criminal conspiracy with others and misappropriated funds amounting to Rs 17,22,39,453.
The CBI stated in a statement that the money was allegedly collected illegally from depositors through schemes that came under the scanner of the investigating agency.
The central probe agency said Dutta had remained absconding and had failed to cooperate with the investigation. He was subsequently declared an absconder in the chargesheet filed on December 26, 2022, in connection with case number RC 10(S)/2014-Kol.
The case involves alleged offences under relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Prize Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (Banning) Act, 1978.
As Dutta continued to evade the investigation, a Non-Bailable Warrant (NBW) was issued against him on August 5, 2024.
Taking swift action following specific information, CBI officials traced the accused to Siliguri in West Bengal and arrested him on August 28.
Following his arrest, Dutta was taken on transit remand from Siliguri. He is being brought to Odisha and will be produced before the competent court in Bhubaneswar for further legal proceedings, CBI said.
The arrest marks a significant development in the long-pending investigation into the alleged chit-fund fraud.