‘Rs 2.5 Crore cash seizure’ exposes sand mafia network in Odisha’s Ganjam

The black empire of sand mafia in Odisha’s Ganjam district has been exposed following the recent Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids that allegedly led to the seizure of ‘over Rs 2.5 crore in cash’ from the premises of a powerful sand operator, sources said on Monday.

Also Read: Stacks of cash recovered during ED raid at Ganjam BJD leader Hrushikesh Padhi’s residence

The development has sparked widespread discussion, particularly due to the alleged link to Ganjam district BJD leader Hrusikesh Padhi.

The controversy intensified after the ED conducted a raid at Hrusikesh Padhi’s residence. However, Padhi has categorically denied the claims that large sums of cash were recovered from his house. He stated that he is unaware of the reason behind the raid and clarified that only Rs 25 lakh in cash was seized by the ED from his residence, rejecting reports of crores being recovered.

“I have the ED seizure list with me. As per the list, only Rs 25,00,000 has been seized from my house during the raid. I don’t think it to be a very big amount. I had sold my paternal property a few months ago. Besides, some more seized amounts were previously collected through the Hundi of Shiridi Sai Temple (constructed by Padhi) and kept at home. I was about to deposit the Hundi collection at Punjab National Bank,” the BJD leader said.

However, no comments were received from the ED authorities in this regard.

Worth mentioning, based on Hrusikesh Padhi’s connections, simultaneous raids were earlier conducted on January 16 at around 20 locations across Ganjam district. ED teams had also carried out searches at the residences of several businessmen and sand mafia in Berhampur city, including areas such as Bijipur, Lanjipalli, Jayaprakash Nagar and New Bus Stand.

The expanded investigation follows years of alleged illegal sand mining activities reportedly masterminded by Krupasindhu Muduli, a key figure believed to be at the centre of the sand mafia in Ganjam. The ED is currently tracing the extensive network linked to Muduli, which investigators say has spread beyond Odisha’s borders.