By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, September 19, 2017: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday arrested the Biju Janata Dal MLA Pravat Ranjan Biswal in connection with the multi-crore chit fund scam sparking off a strong protest from the ruling party in the state.

The CBI arrested the Cuttack-Choudwar MLA after a brief interrogation at CBI regional office here last night. “He went to the CBI office, Bhubaneswar on Monday evening after receiving a call. The officials questioned him there and arrested him,” his brother Arta Ranjan Biswal said.

In 2014, CBI had called the MLA for interrogation in connection with the monetary transaction with the Seashore Group – a major ponzi firm that has allegedly looted over Rs 1500 crore from small investors.

Biswal and his wife Laxmi Bilasini Biswal were under CBI scanner for over four years over a land deal with the dubious firm. The sleuths had grilled Biswal and his wife at their regional office here on November 21 2014 for hours.

Earlier this year in January, CBI had conducted simultaneous raids at Biswal’s residences in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack giving rise speculation to his arrest.

The MLA was under scanner over selling of piece of land at Benapur mouza in Jajpur district.

Seashore chairman and managing director (CMD) Prashant Dash had paid Rs 25 lakh for the land in cheques in April 2012. However, Dash had cancelled the deal later and wanted his money back, sources said.

However, Biswal claimed that the money was returned to Dash in cash.

Sources said the CBI not was convinced with the clarification of Biswal and said the money was extracted from the chit fund firm in the pretext land selling.

At least half a dozen BJD leaders are allegedly involved in chit fund scam. Earlier, BJD Lok Sabha member Ramachandra Hansda, MLA Prabhat Tripathy and former MLA Subarna Naik were arrested by the investigating agency.

Biswal’s arrest comes as a major embarrassment for Naveen Patnaik-led BJD,

The ruling party sought to distance itself from the controversy that was all set to put the government on a sticky wicket.

“It is not going to affect the party as party has nothing to do with the scam. Whosoever has done anything wrong will have to face the law of the land. No one is above law. The law will take its own course,” senior BJD leader Dr Damodar Rout said.

“Centre is using CBI for political gains. This is vindictive politics. Centre used CBI against West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, Lalu Prasad Yadav and even media promoter Pranoy Roy. How long the chit fund scam investigation will go on? It’s over five years now. The Union government’s ulterior motives have been exposed. People will give them a fitting reply,” Subash Singh, BJD leader said.

While Prabhat Tripathy is currently out on bail, the two others are still jail.