At least five offices of two Kolkata-based money collecting firms were closed down since Thursday here in the city following complaints of cheating, fraud and criminal intimidation.
No arrests have, however, been made.
The action follows the Saradha Group money collection scam that has rocked the State over the last few weeks.
According to a senior police official, four offices of MPS Greenery Developers Ltd and a Prayag Group outfit (Prayag Infratech Highrise) were sealed since Thursday evening.
“We closed down an office of Prayag Infratech based on a complaint filed in the East Midnapore district of the State. Investigations in this regard are on,” Subrata Mitra, DC (Behala), told Business Line .
Investor Complaint
According to Sukesh Jain, District Superintendent of Police, East Midnapore, action was taken after an investor filed a complaint of cheating, fraud and criminal intimidation against MPS Greenery and Prayag.
“Based on the complaint, investigations have begun and we closed down some of the offices in Kolkata and East Midnapore,” Jain said.
MPS Greenery, meanwhile, confirmed that one of its offices in the central business district and three other branch offices in the city were closed down by the police. The central business district office was shut on Friday.
“We have orders from the court to mobilise deposits under collective investment schemes. The closure of our head office and other offices are illegal. We will move High Court against the police action,” P.N. Manna, CMD, MPS Greenery, told Business Line .
Aveek Bagchi, Managing Director, Prayag Group, did not answer calls from Business Line .
Suicides
Meanwhile, two incidents of suicide were reported from the South 24-Parganas district of the State.
One Ajit Seal, who ran a money collection company called Apurupa, and Ranajit Pramanik – Saradha investor – reportedly committed suicide today. This takes the death toll to nine.
Praveen Tripathi, SP (south24 Parganas), however, said that business losses led to the suicide of Seal while he did not confirm Pramanik’s death.