ED asked to probe ex-MLA’s fiscal transactions

Berhampur: With thr list of properties belonging to arrested ex MLA Ramesh Jena lengthening by the day, the police today asked the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to investigate the illegal fiscal transactions of the former legislator

Berhampur SP Sarthak Sarangi has written to ED today in this regard. “More than 50 properties of Ramesh Jena have been unearthed so far. I have written to Enforcement Directorate (ED) asking it to be involved in the investigation process”, said Sarangi.

Not all of these properties seized by the police are in the name of Jena. Some of them are in the name of other persons though Jena is the real owner, sources said.

The SP had also written to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe his alleged links with the Green India chit fund company.

The police will emphasize allegations like tender fixing, sand quarry auction, real estate business and liquor trade during interrogation of the Congress leader who is on a 7-day remand.

The investigating team has already found evidence of corporator Murali Mohan's involvement in Jena's land business. The root of his gutkha business is also being investigated, he said.

"The corporator’s involvement in land fraud has been confirmed after interrogation. The source of his gutkha business has been traced to Vishakhapatnam and a team has left for Vizag for investigation", Sarangi pointed out.

Three police teams are likely to be sent to different states to investigate into alleged illegal activities of former Congress MLA in Odisha Ramesh Jena, a top police officer said today.

The teams would leave soon for Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Jharkhanda to investigate the illegal activities of the ex-legislator from Sanakhemundi in Ganjam district, the SP said.

On the other hand, police are probing the source of the money paid for the luxury car which was bought through Congress leader Sayeed Mubarak and Chawla Construction Ltd.

Meanwhile, identification of the young lady who had been snapped with Ramesh has been ascertained. The lady, a student of an air hostess institute in the State capital, belongs to Gate Bazar area in Berhampur, police said, adding Ramesh had gifted a car and a flat to her in Bhubaneswar.

Notably, a photograph of the young woman with Ramesh Jena was found from Jyotsna Apartment during a raid two days ago.