Mumbai model held in chit fund scam

Preeti Bhatia

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials on Friday arrested Mumbai-based model Preeti Bhatia for her alleged links with scam hit Artha Tatwa, a chit fund group and its chief Pradeep Sethy. Preeti has been grilled in the case earlier as well.

CBI sources said money from Artha Tatwa was transferred to her Mumbai-based company called Prism Heights Films & Entertainment pvt ltd, her personal account and relatives’ accounts without any valid reason. Preeti and Sethy, along with one Indu Dewan, were directors in that company. During interrogation, Preeti failed to explain why she took Rs 4 crore from the chit fund group.

Preeti had opened a film studio at Santa Cruz (West) in Mumbai in 2010 after allegedly taking nearly Rs 4 crore from Sethy. When Artha Tatwa was going strong, Sethy allegedly splurged crores on models in Mumbai. Money from the firm was also used for making an Oriya film.

Meanwhile, former BJP MP MA Kharavela Swain has petitioned Supreme Court Chief Justice H L Dattu Thursday alleging favouritism shown by the Orissa High Court, state Bar Council and High Court Bar Association in securing bail for former AGAshok Mohanty, who was held recently.