EOW raids Odia news channel editor’s house for duping Delhi businessman of Rs 92 lakh

Bhubaneswar: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Odisha Crime Branch today raided the residence of ‘Bada Khabar’ TV news channel editor Ardhendu Das for allegedly duping a Delhi-based businessman of Rs 92.47 lakh.

Das was not present at the house during the raid. The EOW had earlier served him notice twice asking him to depose before it. However, he hadn’t appeared before the EOW.

As per a complaint lodged with the agency by Gagandeep Singh Chawla, proprietor of Solution Broadcast company, Das had contacted him in 2020 for buying equipment for the establishment of the news channel, following which a deal of over Rs 1 crore was finalised between the two.

Das had paid Chawla Rs 10 lakh in advance in this regard while it was decided that the remaining amount will be paid within the next 6 months.

However, Chawla has alleged that Das didn’t pay him the amount. On the basis of the complaint, the EOW on June 23 registered a case and started an investigation into the incident.

On the other hand, Das has refuted the allegation levelled by Chawla saying that most of the equipment were of sub-standard quality and not usable for broadcast purpose.

Most of the costly hardware and software provided by Chawla have been returned, he added.