TV
In a sensational case of fraud, Odisha’s Food and Supplies Minister Krushnachandra Patra has lodged a formal complaint alleging that he was cheated of Rs 25 lakh in a fraudulent land deal.
According to the FIR filed at the Dhenkanal Town Police Station, the minister stated that in 2021, he paid Rs 25 lakh to a local man, Niranjan Satapathy, from the Bansingh area, with the promise of purchasing a piece of land at a subsidized rate.
Despite repeated assurances, the minister neither received possession of the land nor had the money returned. When pressured, Niranjan issued two cheques, both of which bounced upon deposit.
In November 2024, Niranjan gave a written undertaking promising to return the full amount by November 30, which was also not honoured. A second promise was made in January 2025, in the presence of a mediator, but he again failed to repay the amount.
The matter took a serious turn when the minister learned that Niranjan had never purchased any land, nor had he interacted with any actual landowner related to the deal. Realizing it was a case of deliberate fraud, the minister approached the police and filed a complaint. Dhenkanal Police have since launched a manhunt to trace and arrest the accused.
“It is not a recent case. It dates back to 4-5 years. He had signed an agreement and taken the money for the land. But, he has neither handed over the land nor returned the cash. So, we decided to move forward with a police case,” the Minister informed.
Authorities have confirmed that a detailed investigation is underway.
