Odisha: ED Executes Raids on Forest Department Officials Over Fraud Allegations
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Synopsis
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted significant raids in Kalahandi district, Odisha, targeting Forest Department officials suspected of misappropriating over Rs 2.50 crore in government funds through illicit mule accounts.
Key Takeaways
- ED raids on Forest Department officials in Kalahandi.
- Involvement of mule accounts for fund diversion.
- Evidence of illegal transactions revealed.
- Seizure of incriminating materials.
- Estimated embezzlement exceeds Rs 2.5 crore.
Bhubaneswar, Feb 28 (NationPress) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) agents conducted search operations on Friday at the residences and offices of various officials from the Forest Department in Kalahandi district, linked to a case concerning the embezzlement of more than Rs 2.50 crore in government funds.
The ED disclosed in a press release that the raids were initiated based on an Operational Analysis Report regarding Money Mule Accounts received from FIU-IND. Following preliminary investigations, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Bhubaneswar Zonal office, executed search operations at the office and residences of Forest range officials from Jaipatna Range, Kalahandi South division, on February 28, 2025.
The enforcement agency uncovered evidence of illicit transactions involving the misappropriation of funds through several mule accounts created by the implicated forest department officials in Kalahandi district.
According to specific inputs and initial investigations, certain forest department officials were found to have utilized multiple mule accounts to illegally divert significant funds intended for various government schemes.
Additionally, during the investigation, it was revealed that officials, including forest guards and rangers, opened 121 mule accounts under different individuals' names, receiving funds via NEFT from the range office, followed by immediate withdrawals through ATMs.
The ED further discovered that many of these accounts were registered using identical mobile numbers.
The estimated total diversion of funds from the Forest Department is believed to exceed Rs 2.5 crore.
During the raids, agents seized numerous ATM cards linked to mule accounts, mobile devices, withdrawal slips, digital gadgets, incriminating documents, and a suspected illegal tiger skin.
