Post News Network
Bhubaneswar: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Wednesday conducted simultaneous raids across the nation on the offices of Surat-based Astha International Limited in connection with multi-crore rupees chit fund scam investigation.
According to sources, the Central agency raided the offices of Astha at 14 places in the country, including four in Orissa.
“Raids were carried out at the offices of the firm in Surat, Goa, Indore, and Jabalpur, and Bhubaneswar, Jagatsinghpur, Angul and Berhampur (in Orissa). The officials raided the house of the firm’s Orissa branch head Subhransu Lenka in Berhampur and a rented premises at Nageswar Tangi here where his family members are staying. The officials have reportedly seized several documents from Lenka’s house in Berhampur. They have also seized some photographs of Lenka with some women, including foreigners, from a house in Sahid Nagar where the company had opened a branch office,” they added.
Astha International allegedly offered higher returns to investors on their deposits. Most of Astha investors were from Berhampur, Bhubaneswar and Balasore. Ganjam district was the investor base since the firm was headquartered in Surat. The firm has reportedly swindled funds to the tune of several hundred crores.
Meanwhile, Lenka, along with two other directors of the company — Chandrasen Sivaji Chouhan and Sapkale – are languishing in Jharpada Jail here.
Before the CBI took over the investigation, Crime Branch had arrested Subhransu Lenka in June, 2013 for fraud volume of over Rs 900crore. Cases against Astha International Ltd and Astha Goat Farming Ltd had been booked under Sections 420/406/467/468/471, 120 (b) and 34 of Indian Penal Code. Charges under Sections 4/5/6 of Prize Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (Banning) Act have also been pressed.
