Astha fraud: CBI conducts raids at 14 places, including 4 in Odisha

Admin   |   13 April, 2016   |   791   |   3980

Bhubaneswar: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is currently probing the multicrore chit fund scams, on Wednesday conducted raids at 14 places across the country in connection with Ashtha Group chit fund fraud.

According to information, the Central investigation agency conducted at four places, including one at Jagatsinghpur, in Odisha.

It may be noted that a special court in Cuttack had in September the State government to auction the properties of the Astha Group of Companies and distribute the sale proceeds equitably among investors, who were allegedly duped by the company.

The court allowed the Government to sell the properties as the Gujarat-based company did not respond to the court summons.

In 2013, a duped investor lodged a complaint against Astha with the Economic Offence Wing of the Crime Branch (CB) in Bhubaneswar.

A total of 43 acres of land owned by the company in Odisha and neighbouring West Bengal, a building worth Rs 1.8 crore and a Mercedes car have so far been taken into Government possession, sources said. 

Odisha head of the Astha Group Shubhransu Lenka is currently lodiged in Jharpada Special Jail here, according sources.