In a significant development, Dhenkanal Town Police have arrested Niranjan Satapathy for allegedly cheating Odisha’s Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra out of Rs25 lakh in a fraudulent land deal.
The case, dating back to 2021, revolves around Satapathy’s false promise of arranging the sale of a prime plot of land in Banasingh, Dhenkanal. Trusting the offer, Minister Patra paid Rs25 lakh in advance. However, the promised land deal never materialised, and Satapathy became untraceable shortly thereafter.
Following the minister’s formal complaint, police launched an investigation which led to Satapathy’s arrest on Monday. He is currently in custody and will be produced in court for further legal proceedings.
Police sources also indicate the potential for additional victims, suggesting that Satapathy may have orchestrated similar land scams involving others in the region.
The investigation is ongoing, and police are working to determine the full extent of the fraud and uncover any possible accomplices.
