TV
Kendrapara Town Police, on Sunday, registered an FIR against Ankit Jena, son of former Odisha minister and Mahanga BJD MLA candidate Pratap Jena, on charges of cheating in a financial dispute involving nearly Rs 48 lakh.
According to reports, the case was filed at the Kendrapara Town police station by Aravind Tripathy, owner of Cuttack-based SSB Electricals, who alleged that Jena’s company failed to clear dues despite completion of contracted work.
Complaint by SSB Electricals
According to the complaint, SSB Electricals had received a work order from Emporia Walk Works Pvt. Ltd., a company linked to Ankit Jena, for supplying electrical equipment and executing related works in Kendrapara.
Tripathy claimed his firm completed the assigned tasks, but payments amounting to Rs 48 lakh remain pending. Despite repeated reminders, the company allegedly delayed payments, leading him to approach the police.
Tripathy has accused Jena of deliberately withholding the amount, terming it an act of cheating.
Counter-Allegation by Jena’s Company
Responding to the charges, Emporia Walk Works dismissed the allegations and instead filed a counter-complaint. Company manager Debashis Das alleged that SSB Electricals, along with another contractor, Ganesh Swain, obstructed the company’s work in Kendrapara, causing financial losses.
Ankit Jena, while reacting to the controversy, denied any wrongdoing. He alleged that SSB Electricals had ‘stolen’ certain materials during the execution of work, which prompted him to lodge a police complaint earlier.
Police Confirms Cross-Complaints
Kendrapara Town police have confirmed that complaints have been filed from both sides and that an investigation is underway.
“A sub-contractor from Cuttack was operating his company in Kendrapara. However, he (Ankit Jena) alleged that the work had remained incomplete. In return, there was a financial dispute regarding an owed sum of Rs 48 lakhs and some manufacturing materials. Two cases have been filed in this regard, and an investigation into these matters is ongoing,” said Inspector-in-Charge Dillip Sahu.
While Jena and his company have spoken out denying the allegations, no immediate response was received from SSB Electricals regarding the counterclaims, as of the last reports.
