The West Bengal Transport Minister, Madan Mitra, was arrested by the CBI on Friday in connection with the Saradha Scam. Mitra will be the first Bengal Cabinet minister to be arrested in connection with the scam.
Confirming the arrest, a CBI spokesperson said charges levied include criminal conspiracy, cheating and misappropriation. He has also been charged with deriving undue financial benefits from the now defunct Saradha Group.
The Minister was summoned by CBI on November 15. He had then received an e-mail from the agency asking him to appear for questioning. However, the Minister had cited health reasons to seek relaxation from being questioned by CBI.
After being discharged from hospital later in November, he called up the CBI expressing his availability.
So far, the CBI has arrested Trinamool Congress MP Srinjoy Bose, suspended MP Kunal Ghosh, and party functionary Rajat Majumdar in this regard.