A loan fraud allegation was brought against Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, the Editor of Odia Daily, Sambad. The fraud allegation has also been brought against the Human Resources (HR) head of the media house, Baijayanti Kar.
According to sources, the fraud allegation has been brought by a former employee of the newspaper. The former employee reportedly has lodged a complaint with the EOW with the help of his lawyer. As per the charges, a loan was availed by creating a fake account in the name of the employee. It is alleged that the officials of the media house took a loan in the name of the employee, without the knowledge of the concerned employee. As per the complaint, Rs 5 lakh loan was taken by creating a fake account in the name of the employee. The complainant has also alleged that many employees like him have been victims of such fraud in the media house.
"We have lodged an FIR with EOW against Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, the owner of Eastern Media, the HR Head, Baijayanti Kar, and other employees of the media house.
The accused created fake accounts in the names of their own employees. The loan money was also going to the owner's account," said the complainant's lawyer, Dibyajyoti Das.
Meanwhile, no comments have been received from the Sambad Group or the HR head, Baijayanti Kar; however, when contacted, Soumya Ranjan Patnaik said that he is not aware of the matter and will comment on the same later.