Kolkata: The CPI-M Monday sought a central government probe into allegations that the Saradha Group scam money was channelised to Bangladesh to fund terror acts against India and challenged West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to seek a clean chit from the CBI on the scandal.
"We see reports that the Saradha Group funds were illegally channelised to Bangladesh to fund terror acts directed at India," Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) state secretariat member Sujan Chakraborty said here.
"This matter needs to be probed by the union home ministry as it is an issue that poses a serious security concern for India. One has to see who all are behind it,' Chakraborty said.
Refering to Banerjee's alleged secret meeting with Saradha group head Suditpa Sen - now under arrest - at Kalimpong of Darjeeling district in 2012, Chakraborty said: "People are now doubting your honesty. They have lost their faith in you.
"So go to the Central Bureau of Investigation and tell them that your clothes are tainted. Face a CBI probe with (suspended Trinamool MP) Kunal Ghosh, Sen and (Trinamool all India general secretary) Mukul Roy - who were present in that meeting. If you can prove you are clean, people will regain
"If you don't do it, then you wona¿t regain people's faith. Please accept the challenge," said Chakraborty, who has been leading a forum of chit fund sufferers in the state.
Addressing a protest rally brought out by the left mass organisations representing women, youths, students and workers, Chakraborty also demanded that Banerjee furnish details of the property amassed by Trinamool leaders in the nearly 40 months of the party's rule.
The well attended rally from two points in the city - Sealdah station and Subodh Mullick Square - ended at the Rani Rashmoni Road in the city hub.
Chakraborty said the movement on the Saradha scam issue would be intensified in the coming days by organising demonstrations outside police stations, offices of Block Development Officers and district magistrates.
"We demand that the investors who lost their money by parking their deposits in chit fund schemes be refunded by selling off properties of chit fund owners and directors and Trinamool leaders involved in the scandal. All culprits should be brought to book," he said.
Chakraborty said if the protests do not lead to the sufferers getting their money back, then the left mass organisers and victims would lay siege on state secretariat Nabanna.
