Key Takeaways
- The Enforcement Directorate arrested Kaustav Roy, CEO of a Bengali news channel, over alleged financial crimes.
- Roy is linked to the Pincon chit fund scam that defrauded thousands of investors.
- The case underscores growing scrutiny of media owners’ involvement in money laundering activities.
Kolkata: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested businessman and CEO of a Bengali news channel Kaustav Roy, accused of financial irregularities, sources said on Tuesday.
The ED, probing the financial trails of money laundering and defrauding some financial firms, including Ponzi scams, had summoned Roy at its Salt Lake office last evening.
After hours of interrogation, the agency arrested him for alleged non‑cooperation, they added.
Roy, known for his close proximity in the corridors of power, was interrogated by another central agency, the CBI.
Sources said the ED, which also investigated him in an earlier occasion, has seized several increment documents, including some cell phones of Roy.
In mid 2022, the ED and the Income Tax officials had conducted raids and search operations at the residence and offices of Roy.
Sources said Roy was also allegedly involved in the Pincon chit fund case, in which thousands of poor investors were cheated.
Roy was taken to the ESI Hospital, Joka, South Kolkata, for medical tests now before being produced to a special court.
He would be produced at the Banksal Court in the Dalhousie area for judicial process.
Roy while asked for the causes of his arrest, said he was innocent and a victim of a conspiracy.
He, however, acknowledged that an advertisement was taken by his media channel from now defunct Pincon chit fund.
