TV
Amid a series of land encroachment allegations against Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University, a ‘staff’ of the institution has landed in fresh controversy after a woman accused one of KIIT employees of threatening and obstructing her from constructing a house on her ‘family’s legally owned land’ in Pathargadia mouza in Bhubaneswar.
Anurupa Bhanja, the complainant, alleged that while she was initiating construction on two plots owned by her mother, Rajalakshmi Bhanja and maternal uncle Karunakar, both senior citizens, a man identifying himself as Pramod Sahu, allegedly a KIIT staffer, appeared at the site and attempted to halt the work.
Anurupa claimed that despite producing all legal documents proving ownership since 1995, she and the labourers were intimidated. “He threatened to bring in police and forcefully stop the work,” she said, further alleging that an Infocity police PCR van arrived on the site and issued verbal warnings to the workers.
Adding to her ordeal, Anurupa said the access to her land was locked without permission, and a fence was erected near a borewell she had dug.
“Every time we begin construction, Pramod Sahu comes and creates disturbances. He warned us that we cannot excavate this land, but I refused to entertain his demands. He threatens us by saying that he is with KIIT and that we do not know his powers,” alleged Anurupa.
Wider Allegations Against KIIT Over Land Grabs Resurface
This incident comes amid longstanding and serious allegations against KIIT University involving illegal occupation of private land in and around Bhubaneswar. Several affected individuals have previously approached the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), claiming they were denied access to plots they legally own.
Reports say complaints have been piling up for years, with residents alleging that KIIT expanded its campus by encroaching on private and forest land with tacit political backing. Despite repeated appeals to the administration and police, they claim no relief has been provided.
In February 2021, RTI activists accused the institution of using dubious methods to acquire over 80 acres of land beyond its official allocation by IDCO (Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation).
Records reportedly show that while KIIT was formally allotted just 7 acres, it managed to gain possession of 89 acres by 2012, of which 82 acres were allegedly regularised later, bypassing due process.
The issue even reached the Odisha Assembly in 2014, with demands for accountability. Most recently, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan and Industry Minister Sampad Chandra Swain assured that the state would probe all allegations and “no one would be spared if wrongdoing is established.”
Meanwhile, KIIT is yet to issue any comments regarding the allegations and whether the said person is a staff of the institution.
