EOW arrests prime accused in Odisha land fraud

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Cuttack, Mar 22:

The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Odisha Crime Branch (CB) last night arrested a man from Jajpur district in connection with the fraudulent sale of government land in Bidanasi area of Cuttack city.

The arrested man, identified as Ganesh Nayak, had allegedly sold off about 15 acres of government land in Bidanasi area to several people.

Briefing newsmen here today, Crime Branch ADG BK Sharma said the EOW, acting on a tip-off that Nayak was hiding in Ganesh Bhawan in Jajpur, raided the building and arrested him.

“We have brought Nayak to Bhubaneswar this morning for further interrogation. He will be produced before the SDJM court in Cuttack today,” he added.

It may be mentioned that the Odisha High Court, acting on a petition filed in the matter, had asked the CBI to probe the land fraud. In its report submitted to the court, the central investigating agency said Nayak was the prime accused in the fraud.

Acting on the directive of the court, the state government  had asked the EOW to register a case and start investigation in December last year.

The EOW registered a case on the basis of the report filed by the CBI and an inquiry report furnished by Baranga tehsildar Akshaya Kumar Rout, Crime Branch sources said.

“The investigation conducted so far reveals the possible involvement of some settlement officials in the fraudulent land deal. Efforts are on to arrest the others involved in the case,” said an  EOW official.