Sack Sushil, start probe by CBI: Lalu

RJD chief Lalu Yadav on Saturday demanded a CBI inquiry into a “fund transfer scam” case worth `300 crore involving a Bhagalpur-based NGO Srijan Sahyog Mahila Vikas Samiti.

Mr Yadav said the role of deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi was under scanner as the scam occurred between 20052010 when the NDA was in power in Bihar, and Mr Modi was the finance minister. “Sushil Kumar Modi’s role must be investigated as he was the deputy chief minister and finance minister of the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi must take cognisance of the matter and order CBI probe,” he said. Soon after Mr Yadav gave the statement on Saturday, Mr Modi directed all departments to physically verify accounts maintained by the district administrations across the state.

“The department-wise verification of account must be ensured by district magistrates to keep a tab on irregularities in funds. So far three FIRs have been registered after a scam worth `302.70 crore came to light,” Mr Modi said in a statement.

On Friday, the SIT constituted by the state government to probe the “fund transfer scam” had arrested seven persons in connection with the case.

The special investigation team headed by inspector general, economic offences unit, Jitendra Singh Gangwar, arrested the Bhagalpur district land acquisition officer and a bank official. “We have made the arrest on the basis of the pieces of evidence gathered during our probe. The matter is still under investigation,” Mr Gangwar told reporters in Bhagalpur.

According to officials, the initial probe showed that around `355.70 crore have been illegally transferred under various heads. The data reveals `270 crore from land acquisition, `70.70 crore from urban development schemes, and `15 crore from the district administration were transferred into the NGO account.