Bhubaneswar: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has escalated its actions against former minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA Prafulla Samal and his family. Following multiple raids conducted at 10 locations linked to Samal, the central probing agency seized a car and Rs 10 lakh from his son, Prayaskanti Samal’s residence in Palaspalli, Bhubaneswar.
Allegations have surfaced accusing Samal and his son of fraudulent activities, particularly swindling crores of rupees collected from students as fees for purchasing lands and flats in Bhubaneswar and other areas. Despite prior complaints against the duo, no substantive action had been taken, prompting the case to be handed over to the ED for further investigation.
Sources close to the ED revealed that Prayaskanti Samal purportedly sold land belonging to Barapada Engineering College to a builder agency named Trishna Skyscraper Limited through a sale deed. Important documents related to this land sale were seized during the raids at Prayaskanti’s residence.
The land in question, initially purchased at Kantabada area in Bhubaneswar for Barapada Engineering College, was subsequently transferred to the builder’s agency. The ED’s investigation is diligently scrutinizing the circumstances surrounding this transaction to ascertain the truth behind the allegations.
During the raid, Prayaskanti was reportedly absent, necessitating a subsequent search of his residence. Additionally, the ED team raided the home of Debabrat Dhir, the director of the builder’s firm, seizing documents relevant to the land sale.
Thursday’s raids encompassed six locations in Bhadrak and four in Bhubaneswar, including properties belonging to MLA Prafulla Samal, who represents the Bhandaripokhari constituency. Furthermore, the ED also targeted the residence of the former principal of Barapada Engineering College, which is under Samal’s administration.
The intensified scrutiny follows suspicions of a Rs 20 crore land scam involving Barapada Engineering College, prompting the ED to take decisive action in uncovering any illicit activities and holding those responsible accountable for their actions.
