In a significant development ahead of the state elections, Sudipta Sen, the prime accused in the multi-crore Saradha chit fund scam, is set to be released from prison after securing bail in all pending cases.
Sen, who has been lodged in the Presidency Correctional Home for 12 years and 11 months, received relief on Wednesday after a division bench of the Calcutta High Court, headed by Justice Rajarshi Bharadwaj, granted him bail in two cases registered by the state police. With this order, there are no legal hurdles remaining for his release, which is expected on Thursday, subject to compliance with certain conditions imposed by the court. Sen had earlier secured bail in all cases investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Of the total 76 cases taken over by the central agency, four were formally pursued, and Sen obtained bail in each of them after furnishing the required bonds.
However, his release was delayed due to two pending cases under the jurisdiction of the West Bengal Police, registered at Barasat police station. These were the final obstacles cleared by Wednesday’s order.
During the hearing on Tuesday, the high court had expressed strong displeasure with both the state and the CBI over delays in the legal process, before reserving its judgment. On Wednesday, the Bench pronounced its verdict, granting bail in all remaining cases. According to submissions made in court, as many as 389 cases were originally filed against the Saradha Group. Sen was first arrested on 27 April 2013, in connection with a case registered at Bidhannagar police station. Following this, the CBI took over a portion of the investigation, while the remaining cases were handled by the state police.
Reacting to the development, Kunal Ghosh, Trinamul Congress candidate from Beleghata, said the matter was purely legal.