CBI Arrests Absconding Accused in Rs 17.22 Crore Chit-Fund Scam Case

In relation to a chit-fund scam case, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has apprehended a long-absconding accused. The accused had been identified as Debabrata Dutta.

The accused is the former proprietor of M/s DNB Food Processing Private Limited, alleged to have defalcated funds amounting to Rs 17.22 crore from unsuspecting depositors.

According to the CBI, Dutta allegedly acted in criminal conspiracy with others and misappropriated funds amounting to Rs 17.22 crore. The money had been illegally collected from depositors, who were allegedly lured into the scheme.

The accused had been absconding and allegedly did not cooperate with the investigation. He was declared an absconder in the chargesheet filed by the CBI on December 26, 2022, in RC 10(S)/2014-Kol. The offences committed by the accused are punishable under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Prize Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (Banning) Act, 1978.

On August 05, 2024, a Non-Bailable Warrant (NBW) was issued against Dutta following his continuous non-involvement in the investigation and legal proceedings.

The CBI traced Dutta based on source information and arrested him in Siliguri, West Bengal, on August 28, 2026. He is being brought from Siliguri on transit remand and is expected to be produced before the competent court in Bhubaneswar.

The arrest is part of the CBI's ongoing investigation into the alleged chit-fund fraud and the illegal collection and misappropriation of funds from depositors.