ED raids properties of mining businessman Ratnakar Rout in Bhubaneswar, Dhenkanal

In a major crackdown, the officials of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday conducted simultaneous raids on the properties linked to Ratnakar Rout, a mining businessman in Odisha.

As per initial reports, the ED raids are underway at 12 places in Dhenkanal and Bhubaneswar. The raids are being carried out by officials of the ED from Delhi in connection with cases related to alleged financial transactions and mining operations.

The raids are currently underway at the farmhouse and residence of Rout in Dhenkanal, Hindol and three other places.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Enforcement Directorate has swung into action as far as illegal mining operations in Odisha are concerned.

On December 20, the ED had carried out raids on the residence of former Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Niranjan Patnaik in Bhubaneswar.

Also Read: ED raids former Odisha Congress president Niranjan Patnaik’s residence in Bhubaneswar

The central agency had also carried out raids on the houses of Opposition Chip Whip Pramilla Mallik’s brother late Khirod Mallik’s residence in New Delhi and three places in Sambalpur recently in connection with an alleged financial fraud amounting to Rs 231 crore.