Bhubaneswar: In what is touted as a big scam in cooperative societies, a conspiracy was allegedly hatched to regularize banned currency to the tune of Rs 32 lakh and grab valuable piece of land at Ragunathpur Jaili in Bhubaneswar during the demonetization period in 2016.
The scam which allegedly involves some officials of Capital Cooperative Housing Limited has been exposed by the Office of Registrar of Cooperative Societies after an preliminary inquiry.
The matter has now been brought to the notice of Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Cooperation department seeking a detailed probe by the Economic Offences Wing.
A copy of the report on such findings has also been forwarded to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) SP for necessary action, informed sources.
"Assistant registrar is not the final authority. However, we will take necessary action as we get concrete evidence," said Cooperation minister Surya Narayan Patro.
According to sources, a piece of land under Rahunathpur-Jali mauza that could have fetched at least Rs 7.50 crores was allotted by the society in the name of eight persons by taking an advance of Rs 35 lakh.
Surprisingly, Rs 30 lakh was deposited with IDBI Bank, Bapuji Nagar branch in old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes during demonetization period on November 21, 2016.
The balance Rs 5 lakh was gifted to the Chief Executive Officer Raj Kishore Parida for his son's marriage in December.
However, the president of the society refuted such allegations and termed the report submitted by the assistant registrar as false.
"It is a conspiracy to defame the society and we have already discussed with the Minister and others investigating the matter," said President of Capital Cooperative Housing Limited, Biswaranjan Mohanty.
Earlier on January 20, 2017, CBI SP had written to Registrar of Cooperative Societies to take appropriate action based on a complaint filed by director of Capital Cooperative Housing, Jayant Patnaik.
Later, several other members and directors had also sought intervention of the Chief Minister, Cooperation Minister and others regarding the scam involving crores of rupees.
The Cooperation department had then asked the Registrar to conduct an enquiry into the allegations.