Cuttack, Aug: 4: A judicial commission appointed by the state government to investigate the alleged fraudulent activities of deposit collection companies started its inquiry today.
Secretary to the inquiry commission Devaraj Raut issued a public notice seeking information from persons with any knowledge about “unauthorised collection of public deposits in the state”.
The notice was issued after modalities for functioning of the one-member commission were finalised by its head, Justice (retd) R.K. Patra, during a meeting yesterday and September 9 was fixed for the first sitting of the commission.
All persons acquainted with the subject of the inquiry can furnish statements in the form of sworn affidavits within four weeks at the office of the commission in the special branch office at reserve police lines in Cuttack.
Persons willing to share information with the commission should clearly indicate in the affidavit the information that is true to their knowledge, the notification said.
The commission was appointed by the state government on July 9 after it came under flak from Opposition parties for the spate of cases across the state involving alleged fraudulent activities by deposit collection companies involving thousands of investors.
The terms of reference of the commission include identifying the individuals and entities that have indulged in unauthorised collection of public deposits in the state and probing and bringing out involvement of influential persons, bureaucrats and other sections of the society, if any, in protecting or promoting such illegal activities.
The other terms of reference are suggesting measures to safeguard the interest of the investors affected by the recent incidents relating to unauthorised collection of public deposits and also suggesting measures to ensure financial security of the investors and prevention of such problems in future.
The government had appointed retired Justice Patra after Orissa High Court turned down the plea of the state government to appoint a sitting judge.
