Bengal transport minister discharged from hospital

Kolkata, Nov 26 (IANS) West Bengal Transport Minister Madan Mitra, who was summoned by the CBI in connection with the Saradha chit fund scam but could not appear due to illness, was discharged from a hospital on Wednesday, an official said.

Mitra was admitted in a private nursing home Nov 18 but subsequently admitted himself to the SSKM Nov 20 after complaining of breathlessness.

"After ascertaining his health, the board deems him (Mitra) fit to be discharged, accordingly he has been released from the hospital," a member of a medical board constituted to ascertain his health told media persons here.

According to sources, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is mulling to send a fresh summons to Mitra for questioning him.

The agency has already grilled, among others, Bapi Karim who is Mitra’s former confidential assistant.

Mitra’s son Swarup, who was allegedly on the board of directors of a ponzi firm, is also said to be under the scanner of the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO). It has ordered a probe into affairs of the company.

Mitra has denied allegations of him or his son being involved in any wrongdoing and threatened to quit as a minister if his or his son’s links to Saradha or any other ponzi company are established.