The CBI has summoned Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Derek O’Brien to join its investigation into the Saradha ponzi scheme case, officials said on July 26. O’Brien, a Rajya Sabha member and spokesperson for West Bengal’s ruling party, has been asked to appear before a CBI team in the first week of August.

What the agency wants to know

Officials said the agency had also summoned him in January, but he asked for more time because Parliament’s Winter Session was under way. The former quizmaster may be asked about certain financial transactions found in the bank accounts of the party mouthpiece, Jago Bangla.

The CBI is examining links between arrested Bengali film producer Shrikant Mohta and the promoters of Rose Valley, a company accused in the scam. Mohta allegedly struck a Rs 25 crore deal with the Rose Valley promoters, and part of that money is suspected to have been moved into the Jago Bangla account.

O’Brien may also be questioned about the sale of paintings by Mamata Banerjee, which officials say were bought at high prices by owners of ponzi companies. The agency has seized several such paintings worth lakhs of rupees. The TMC has firmly rejected the allegations.

O’Brien’s response

O’Brien alleged the notice was sent because the TMC was opposing amendments to the Right to Information Act. In a tweet, he said he is the publisher of Jago Bangla, the party’s official newspaper, and that its editor, Subrata Bakshi, had earlier been called by the CBI for clarifications. He pointed out that his notice arrived at 2 pm on July 25, the same time the party’s motion in the Rajya Sabha opposing the RTI amendments was taken up.

Background

The agency has already questioned TMC general secretary Subrata Bakshi in the case. The Supreme Court ordered the Saradha probe and transferred it to the CBI in 2014. Thousands of investors lost money, and several TMC leaders and ministers were arrested; all are now on bail. Sudipta Sen, who founded Saradha, and his associate Debjani Mukherjee were arrested in Kashmir in 2013 and remain in custody.

See also: Election news | Political leaders

Originally published on 27 July 2019. Rewritten on 9 October 2026.

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