CBI sleuths 'ad' agency to hit list

BHUBANESWAR: The CBI has zeroed in on a city-based advertising agency allegedly having close links with controversial Artha Tatwa (AT) Group and some BJD politicians.
On Saturday, AT Group's incarcerated CMD Pradeep Sethy dropped a bombshell, saying political patronage to the agency in which he claimed to have invested Rs 1.65 crore.
Consequently, a former minister and BJD MLA is believed to be on the CBI radar.The agency's clientele included several government departments, Ponzi firms AT Group and Seashore Group and a vernacular daily, whose owner Bikash Swain was arrested by CBI in connection with AT Group scam last week. The agency's office is located at Unit-IV. None of their functionaries is willing to speak on the issue.
"The advertising agency was being promoted by two leaders, including a first-time minister. The leaders took money through Swain. I did not get back my investment," Sethy had told mediapersons outside court.
"I have given strong evidence to CBI to substantiate my claim. CBI should not spare them," Sethy said.
Asked whether he made the revelation before commissionerate of police during their investigation, Sethy replied in negative. "I purposely concealed the fact as I apprehended the police might protect the political leaders," Sethy said. A few days ago, Sethy had questioned the probe by commissionerate of police and said the police protected those, who benefitted from him. "Though Swain was questioned by city police, he was not arrested. But, CBI nabbed him," Sethy said.
For the fifth consecutive day on Sunday, CBI questioned two realtors, who partnered Sethy in several housing projects in the city and its outskirts. "If the builders fail to prove their innocence, they will be arrested on charges of conspiracy and money laundering," a CBI officer said. After taking Swain on remand, the central investigating agency is trying to trace Sethy's links with other persons. CBI sources said Swain disclosed names of a leading hotelier and some businessmen, who availed loans from AT Group through him. Swain is also said to have named other influential persons, who got benefits from Sethy.