Unable to repay depositors, yet another agent of a small deposit taking firm committed suicide here in West Bengal.
According to police, Mrinal Kanti Mondal (42), a resident of Sangrampur in North 24-Parganas district, was an agent of a deposit-taking company called Self Trust Enterprise. He allegedly consumed poison on Sunday evening after investors roughed him up in front of his family members. He was admitted to a city hospital, where he died late Monday night.
Self Trust Enterprise, a Basirhat-based (in North 24-Parganas district) deposit taking firm, was collecting money by showcasing its upcoming mall in the region.
Some agents of the group also demonstrated outside the New Town police station on the northern fringes of the city demanding arrest of the owner, who is alleged to have closed down the office and gone into hiding.
Following the Saradha Group – which is said to have mobilised over Rs 20,000 crore through Ponzi schemes - going bust in April this year, a number of deposit-taking companies have been under pressure to refund huge amounts to their depositors.
A number of such firms have also wound-up operations while others have come up with advertisements to allay investor fears.
Some companies also refunded a part of depositors’ investments. Many agents of such companies across the State are being pressured by investors for refund. At least 12 people – investors and agents – have committed suicide in the wake of Saradha scam.
Saradha investigation
Meanwhile, the police on Tuesday impounded a Mercedes allegedly belonging to Saradha Group chairman and managing director, Sudipta Sen.
According to Arnab Ghosh, DC (Detective Department), Bidhannagar Police Commisionerate, the car was impounded from a South Kolkata garage. It was allegedly with one of Sen’s acquaintance.
“The car was purchased this year at a price of around Rs 95 lakh,” Ghosh told reporters during a press conference.