ED steps up crackdown on sand mafia in Ganjam, issues multiple summons

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its investigation into the alleged sand mafia network operating in Ganjam district, issuing summons to the accused one after another as part of its ongoing money-laundering probe. Former Youth Congress leader Biswajit Patra is among those summoned and is likely to appear before the ED today.

Sources said the central agency has directed Biswajit Patra to appear before its Bhubaneswar office for questioning. Earlier, the ED had conducted a search at his residence in Berhampur in connection with the case. The summons is part of a wider effort to examine the financial links and money trail associated with illegal sand mining activities in the district.

The ED has reportedly issued notices to several alleged sand mafia operators, calling them individually for interrogation. On January 16, the agency carried out simultaneous raids at the residences of more than six suspected sand mafia members across different locations in Ganjam district.

During the searches, ED officials recovered a substantial amount of unaccounted cash amounting to ₹2.63 crore. Large sums of money were found stacked inside cupboards at the houses of the accused, raising suspicions of large-scale illegal financial transactions. In addition to cash, the agency seized around 10 high-end vehicles believed to have been purchased using proceeds from illegal activities.

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As part of the same operation, the ED also conducted searches at the residence of BJD leader Hrushikesh Padhi, further widening the scope of the investigation. Officials are currently analysing seized documents, digital records, and financial assets to establish the extent of the alleged money-laundering network.

The ED is expected to issue more summons in the coming days as the probe progresses. Further action will depend on the outcome of the questioning and the evidence collected during the raids.