CBI Files Second Charge-Sheet Against Five Persons In Seashore Chit Fund Scam

Bhubaneswar: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday
filed its second charge-sheet against five persons involved in
Seashore Group chit fund scam.

The five persons named in the 100-page charge-sheet include BJD
Choudwar-Cuttack MLA Pravat Biswal, his wife Laxmi Bilasini, former
Cuttack collector Pradeep Kumar Hota and his wife Pratima Hota.

A case has been registered under section 420 and 120 (B) of the IPC
against these persons. The names of 60 persons have been mentioned s
witnesses in the case.

Pravat Biswal was arrested in connection with the scam on September 19
last year from his Mahanadi Vihar residence.

Earlier, the legislator and his wife were questioned by the central
investigating agency a several times over with a land deal with
Seashore Group Chairman and Managing Director Prashant Das.

Das had deposited an amount of Rs 25 lakh for a piece of land
measuring 34 gunths at Benapur mouza in Jajpur district. Das had paid
Rs 25 lakh by cheque in two instalments to Laxmi Bilasini in April
2012, but later the deal was cancelled by him. Following which he
wanted his money back.

However, Laxmi Bilasini had claimed to have refunded the money to Das.

Apart from that, the charge-sheet named Pradeep Kumar Hota and his
wife Pratima for allegedly extending undue favours to the chit fund
firm.