Saradha scam money used for terror: Govt, Amit Shah divided over probe; TMC demands apology

New Delhi: Government on Wednesday appeared to speak in different voices with a minister telling Parliament that probe has so far not revealed that Saradha chit fund money was used to finance terror in Bangladesh, contradicting BJP chief Amit Shah’s allegation of such a connection.

“The investigation has so far not revealed any such transaction where money was routed to Bangladesh to fund terrorist activities,” Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh told the Lok Sabha in a written response.

The Opposition, especially Trinamool Congress (TMC) lashed out at Amit Shah for his statement. “He is dangabaaz…Amit Shah is a bogus person. He is famous criminal in Gujarat, he speaks lies,” said TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee in this Zee News report . On the other hand, Sudip Bandyopadhyay said, “Amit Shah is an uniformed person, he should have been more cautious. Now he should apologise for the comments.”

Addressing a rally in Kolkata on Sunday, Shah had alleged that Saradha chit fund money was used in the 2 October Burdwan blast, which is being probed for link with Jamaat-ul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) terror outfit.

“Saradha chit fund money was used in the Burdwan blast. The NIA is not being allowed to probe the blast properly. Hurdles are being created. It is being done in order to save TMC leaders who are involved in the blast,” Shah had alleged, attacking the Trinamool Congress.

Union Minister Babul Supriyo, elected on BJP ticket from West Bengal, expressed surprise over Jitendra Singh’s statement and alleged that ruling TMC and its MPs had links with terror plot in Bangladesh.

“I came to know about Jitendra Singh’s statement a little while back. There is a different reason. There were a lot of responsible minds who acted very fast to ensure that the state government has evidence, proofs and it has been recorded in front of several TV cameras.

“The state government was instrumental in destroying evidence that could prove state government’s, TMC’s or their MPs’ connection with the terror plot that is not only West Bengal centric but also finds its way into Bangladesh and neighbouring countries.

“So it was very smart of the central government to get NIA into the act. NIA is right now doing a very comprehensive research into the entire act. I got to know what Jitendra Singh said a while ago. I need to find out why he said so,” Supriyo told reporters outside Parliament.

Jitendra Singh was asked whether the government has sought details of the probe into the Saradha chit fund scam after reports indicated that a part of the money was routed to Bangladesh to fund terror activities. Singh replied that government has not sought details of the probe.

(With inputs from PTI)