Rs 231 crore fraud: Opposition Chief Whip Pramila Mallik's brother Khirod Mallik in ED net

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday launched extensive raids on the properties of Khirod Mallik, brother of Opposition Chief Whip and former minister Pramila Mallik. The simultaneous raids are currently on in New Delhi and three places in Sambalpur, Odisha. 

This action is part of an inquiry into alleged financial fraud amounting to Rs 231 crore. Late Khirod Mallik, Pramila Mallick’s brother, is a focal point in this investigation, accused of securing loans from different national and private banks under questionable pretences.

His NGO, Bharat Integrated Social Welfare Agency (BISWA), is under scrutiny for purportedly misusing a significant amount of funds. Reports have surfaced suggesting that Khirod Mallik may have manipulated banking channels to secure large loans, which has prompted this robust response from the ED.

In Sambalpur, the raid is on at Khirod’s residential building, an office of the NGO and another building belonging to the late NGO owner. In Delhi, the raid is on at the headquarters of BISWA office.

A case was earlier registered against BISWA with ED alleging fraud of crores of rupees and failure of non-repayment of loan. The NGO has also been accused of achieving foreign funds and its misutilisation. This apart, late Khirod Mallik was also involved in the ‘sattua’ and ‘pulses’ scam, during BJD’s regime.

During BJD’s rule, BISWA had availed the tender of supplying ‘pulses’ to all government schools for mid-day meal (MDM). He was also awarded many other government projects when his sister Pramila Malik was in power.

Several cases were registered against Khirod, but were overlooked during BJD’s rule, sources said. ED suspects the involvement of many others and will expose the previous BJD government, it was learnt.