Kolkata, 19 August (H.S.): In a major development in the infamous Saradha chit fund scam, mastermind Sudipta Sen and his associate Debjani Mukhopadhyay have been acquitted in the first three cases registered against them in 2013. A Bankshall Court in Kolkata granted them relief on Tuesday, citing lack of evidence.
The three FIRs, lodged at Hare Street Police Station in 2013, accused the duo of duping investors of around ₹10 to ₹15 lakh. Following prolonged hearings, the court extended the benefit of doubt to both, clearing them of the charges.
However, despite this legal reprieve, their immediate release from prison remains uncertain. More than 200 criminal cases linked to the Saradha scam are still pending against Sen and Debjani. Additionally, central agencies—the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)—are pursuing multiple charges of fraud and money laundering against them.
Legal experts note that while the acquittal marks a symbolic breakthrough for the duo, their incarceration is likely to continue for a long time due to the sheer number of pending cases.
Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh
