After landing in the net of the Odisha Vigilance in a disproportionate assets case, tainted Private Secretary (PS) to a member of the Odisha Staff Selection Commission (OSSC), Biranchi Narayan Sahoo will now be probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over his alleged involvement in money laundering.
“A case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) has been registered against him (Biranchi) by the ED and an investigation has been launched,” informed Joint Director of ED, Madhab Chandra Mishra on Wednesday.
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Meanwhile, an ED official, who is privy to the probe, said that the agency will try to unearth the sources of Biranchi’s illegal assets which have been valued at around Rs 3.79 crore. The ED will also investigate the involvement of others in the money laundering racket.
The official said that the ED is planning to obtain the custodial remand of Biranchi for subjecting him to interrogation in order to ferret out information about his dealings.
The Odisha Vigilance on July 31 arrested Biranchi following simultaneous raids at his residence, office and other premises linked to him the previous day.
During searches, the anti-corruption sleuths had unearthed papers related to movable and immovable assets worth Rs 3.79 crore, including two double-storied buildings at Niladri Vihar in Bhubaneswar, 14 plots in the State Capital, Puri, and Khordha, insurance deposits worth over Rs 56 lakh, Rs 25 lakh cash and gold ornaments worth Rs 60 lakh.
It may be further mentioned here that the State Government yesterday sent Biranchi on compulsory retirement following his arrest in the disproportionate assets case.
Nevertheless, Biranchi’s arrest has also raised many eyebrows over the transparency and integrity of the OSSC.
Furthermore, the recovery of admit cards of applicants from Biranchi’s mobile phone and house has also raised suspicion that the PS might have duped aspiring candidates by promising them jobs in the Commission.