ITDC hotel put up for sale; EOW arrests one more fraudster

Bhubaneswar: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch has arrested a man from Cuttack for defrauding more than Rs 50 lakh while impersonating as a person associated with ITDC. The accused has been forwarded to the court today.

On basis of a complaint filed by Bijayini Mohanty of Puri, the EOW officials arrested Anikesh Sahu from Buxibazar in Cuttack.

The complainant stated Anikesh along with Chandan Akash Mohanty, ex-contractual Assistant Engineer in OTDC, and another accomplice identified as senior officials of ITDC and authorised by Secretary, Tourism made a false agreement with Tapan Kumar Mohanty, husband of the complainant and thereby, defrauded Bijayini and Tapan Kumar of over Rs 50 lakh.

An EOW PS Case No. 13 dt. 21.10.2021 U/s 419/420/467/468/471/120-B IPC has been registered in this regard.

EOW official sources said investigation of the case revealed that Tapan Kumar is the sole Proprietor of T.K. Egg & Chicken Centre, Puri and carries on wholesale business of egg & chicken in Puri. In January last year, Chandan Akash along with Anikesh Sahu and another accused met Tapan Kumar Mohanty through one of his friends.

Chandan Akash introduced himself as senior officer of ITDC Ltd whereas Anikesh Sahu impersonated as a contractor working with different projects of ITDC and another accused introduced himself as a clerk of ITDC.

The accused persuaded Tapan Kumar to purchase hotel Nilachal Ashok Hotel of ITDC at Puri for an amount of Rs 15 crores including Rs 3 crores as under the table deal.

In February, 2020, the three accused had executed an agreement with Tapan Kumar. While Chandan Akash Mohanty signed in the capacity of authorized signatory for ITDC Ltd, Anikesh Sahu and another signed as witness. The accused have already collected more than Rs 50 lakhs from Tapan Kumar Mohanty through bank account as well as in cash.

In order to win the trust, the accused first made him to deposit Rs 20 lakhs in the official account of ITDC maintained at Delhi but took Rs 30 lakhs in cash in order to pursue/ push the matter.
Subsequently, when Tapan Kumar did not get any communication from ITDC Ltd, he smelled the fraud.

During verification, the businessman came to know that he has been deceived by the accused. The fraud victim requested the accused to return him his money. But the accused turned down Tapan Kumar’s request citing with different reasons.

The complainant said after being a victim of fraud, Tapan Kumar Mohanty suffered a brain stroke out of shock and now is bedridden suffering from paralysis, losing his speech and memory.

Also read: Odisha: EOW Arrests Three More Persons For Bank Cheque Fraud

Earlier, Chandan Akash Mohanty was arrested by EOW in another case for allegedly cheating one Dhanurdhara Champatiray, a Special Class Contractor by impersonating himself as an OTDC Official. He had issued fake work orders purportedly issued by OTDC, Bhubaneswar and collected more than Rs 3 crores from the contractor. He is still in judicial custody.

During investigation the EOW seized incriminating documents/ articles like seals of Chandan Akash Mohnaty as Member of ITDC have been seized from Chandan Akash ‘s possession.

It has also come to notice that accused Chandan Akash Mohanty and his associates have cheated other persons too in similar fashion involving huge amount which is being investigated.

The EOW officials said investigation of the case is on to nab other accused.