Did Odisha EOW Arrest a BJD Leader in a Rs 12.42 Crore Fraud Case?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Significant Fraud Case: A total of Rs 12.42 crore involved.
- Political Implications: BJD leader's arrest raises questions about political accountability.
- Investigation Findings: Multiple fraudulent transactions uncovered by EOW.
- Seized Evidence: Important documents related to the case were confiscated.
- Public Awareness: Highlights the risks involved in real estate investments.
Bhubaneswar, Sep 20 (NationPress) The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Odisha Police has apprehended a leader from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) over accusations of defrauding an individual of Rs 12.42 crore under the guise of investing in the real estate sector and acquiring land in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.
The alleged perpetrator is Dillip Kumar Nayak, residing in Jhanjiri Mangala, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Badambadi police station in Cuttack.
Dillip contested in the previous Assembly elections in 2024 as a BJD candidate for the Nimapara constituency, opposing Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida.
According to the case details, the complainant, Bijay Kumar Rout, hails from the Ranihat Malisahi locality in Cuttack and initially filed a complaint at the Badambadi Police Station.
The EOW subsequently took over the case and registered a formal complaint on September 19.
Bijay accused Dillip of misleading him into entering a joint real estate venture that involved investments in land purchases.
During the investigation, the EOW found that between 2015 and 2017, Dillip Nayak had collected Rs 3 crore from Bijay on various occasions under the pretense of real estate investments.
In 2018, Dillip allegedly acquired another Rs 4 crore from the victim, promising to provide a plot of land at Bajrakabati in Cuttack.
However, Dillip did not fulfill his promise to deliver the plot.
He then persuaded Bijay to invest in a superior piece of land at Patia, fraudulently extracting an additional Rs 3.42 crore for this transaction.
Moreover, Dillip took Rs 3 crore from Bijay, including Rs 1 crore from his wife, for the formation of a company.
Investigations revealed that Dillip only returned Rs 1 crore to the complainant, leaving the remaining amount unpaid.
In 2021, he allegedly misled Bijay into investing Rs 3.5 crore for the acquisition of 5 acres of land at Trisulia in Cuttack.
However, Dillip deceitfully registered himself as a co-owner of the property and later sold 2.5 acres without notifying Bijay.
During a search at Dillip's residence, the EOW seized numerous incriminating documents, including sale deeds, Power of Attorney forms, and agreements in various names, along with bank account records.