CBI finds no Saradha link in TMC accounts, says official

 “We have analyzed the income tax returns and other documents related to <g data-gr-id="18">TMC</g> but there is no unexplained or suspicious transaction in the accounts from Saradha companies, as suspected earlier,” a top CBI official said.

Probing TMC’s funds, which included purchase of one of Mamata’s paintings by Saradha group chief Sudipta Sen for Rs 1.80 crore, was part of CBI’s FIR which focused on the wider conspiracy in the Saradha chit fund scam. It was being suspected that Saradha group gave several crores to TMC between 2010 and 2014, which were not legitimate transactions.

The agency had examined TMC general secretary Subrata Baxi seeking details of party’s accounts earlier this year. Former general secretary Mukul Roy, who was once Mamata’s close aide, was also questioned about the party’s sources of income and expenditure including donations, sale of party magazine, advertisements and other allocations for party work.

TMC had attacked CBI several times, saying it was working on the directions of the Centre. “ We stand exonerated. Our political opponents have been crying themselves hoarse on our so called involvement,” a senior TMC leader said.