Saradha scam: ED grills painter, industrialist

Enforcement Directorate on Monday grilled painter Suvaprasanna and industrialist Harsh Neotia in connection with the Saradha scam.

Both of them had been asked to appear before the agency for questioning in connection with the multi-crore scam, ED sources told PTI.

Suvaprasanna, considered close to ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, allegedly sold a television channel he owned to Saradha Group chief Sudipta Sen, now in jail custody.

He was also involved in setting up the sprawling Arts Acre Foundation campus at Rajarhat.

Neotia was grilled by ED officers to ascertain the nature of his association with the painter as he had bought several paintings by Suvaprasanna.

"I have been knowing Suvaprasanna for many years. He is a friend. I also bought several pictures painted by him", Neotia told PTI.

Central Bureau of Investigation had also summoned the painter in connection with the Saradha case.

Image: Suvaprasanna Bhattacharya; Photograph: Biswarup Ganguly/Wikimedia Commons