April 18, 2026 10:50 am (IST)
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Odisha chit fund scam: Patnaik's aide grilled
Bhubaneshwar, Nov 23 (IBNS): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has grilled Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in connection with the ongoing investigations into the chit fund scam in the state.
Saroj Sahu, who is Patnaik's personal aide and works at the Chief Minister's residence in Bhubaneshwar, was questioned by the CBI for about 90 minutes, reports said.
Sahu later told reporters that he had answered all questions put to him.
He said he has no role in the scam at all.
According to media speculations, Sahu was questioned after a broker, previously arrested by the probe agency, alleged the role of the aide in the operations of another chit fund company.
Following the questioning of Sahu, opposition parties in Odisha have upped their ante against Patnaik and are now demanding his resignation.
Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Minister Damodar Rout was quoted as saying by CNN-IBN channel as: "Saroj was dealing in his personal capacity and the party is not responsible for it. He is only a paid employee of the party, who knows what he is doing in his personal capacity outside the Naveen nivas."
At least three prominent leaders of BJD, including an MP and an MLA have been arrested so far by the CBI.
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