Arpita case has links with Odisha

Bhubaneswar, July 28(Reporters Today Bureau): Arpita Mukherjee, the close aide of West Bengal Industry Minister Partha Chatterjee now in Enforcement Directorate custody over the West Bengal SSC scam, has links with Odisha.

According to sources, both Arpita and Partha chatterjee have invested in properties in Odisha, especially in Holy Town Puri. Arpital is believed to have invested in a hotel in the city with Partha chatterjee has invested in a business owned by a servitor of Lord Jagannath.

The inclination of Bengalis towards Puri is well known. This might have prompted the duo to invest in hospitality sector properties in Puri for quick returns, they said.

However, it is for the ED to dig dipper and unearth if any investment has been made in state by both Arpita and Partha Chatterjee, they said.

Notably, during the chit fund scam probe days, some Bengal politicians were found involved with some companies such as Seashore and Sharada chit fund. Some were arrested and quizzed by the CBI in the case also.

This background lends credence to the theory that the Bengal Minister might have been tempted to look towards Odisha for investigating some of his illegal money clandestinely.