Senior BJD leader Dillip Nayak arrested by EOW in Rs 12.42 crore land fraud case

In a significant development, the Enforcement Directorate (EOW) on Saturday arrested senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Dillip Nayak in connection with an alleged land fraud case involving Rs 12.42 crore.

According to sources, Nayak was taken into custody after extensive questioning and verification of documents related to the alleged fraud. The arrest follows a raid conducted at his residence in Badambadi yesterday, where crucial evidence and some documents were seized. 

A five-member EOW team, led by a woman official, reportedly interrogated Nayak for two to three hours and scrutinized multiple documents. Nayak was also reportedly taken to another location during the operation, with some documents possibly seized from there.

Nayak, who had previously contested the Nimapada Assembly seat, is alleged to have been involved in fraudulent land transactions that cheated investors and landowners of substantial sums. Before entering politics, Nayak was engaged in the real estate business, and officials suspect that the alleged scams may be linked to his earlier real estate dealings.

The EOW has launched a detailed investigation into Nayak’s financial transactions and property records as part of a broader crackdown on irregularities in land deals in Odisha. 

The EOW Officials have not released an official statement yet, and the precise information regarding the ongoing operation is awaited.

Also Read: BJD leader Dillip Nayak picked up by EOW after raid at his Cuttack residence

Nayak’s arrest has stirred waves in Odisha’s political landscape. However, he alleged that the action was politically motivated. 
"It's a political issue. Time will tell everything. The action against me has been driven by political motives," he said yesterday.