Ex-CBI Chief Levels Land Scam Allegations in Odisha, Claims Powerful Officials Involved
A massive land scam involving government property in Odisha has come to light, with former Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director M Nageswara Rao alleging that influential figures, including IAS and IPS officers, are implicated.
The alleged scam centers around a 7.5-acre plot of government land (plot no- 321) located near the National Highway in Patrapada Mouza, reports OTV. According to an RTI reply cited by Odisha Soochana Adhikar Abhijan (OSAA), a local Right to Information (RTI) activist group, the land has been bought and sold at least 27 times.
Sale Deeds Raise Eyebrows
The most concerning aspect of the alleged scam involves the names listed in the sale deeds. Shockingly, these include Sudeep Marik (son of former Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) Sanjeev Marik) in 2009, R.P. Koche (former Director of Intelligence) in 2010, the wife and son of former Additional DGP Shyam Sundar Hansdah in 2011, and M. Nageswara Rao’s wife and son (also in 2011).
Nageswara Rao Claims Victimhood
While his wife and son’s names appear in the sale deeds, Rao maintains his innocence. He alleges that he is a victim of the scam perpetrated by Nrusingha Prasad Sundaray, alias Babino, who Rao claims has a history of land grabbing using forged documents.
“A batchmate introduced me to Babino,” Rao told Odia news channel OTV. “He showed us the land, assured us the documents were valid, and mentioned other IAS and IPS officers who had bought there.”
Rao further claims he paid Rs. 9.5 lakhs for 4,000 square feet of land and completed the registration. However, upon attempting property mutation, the Tehsildar (revenue officer) informed him it was government land. Rao then filed a complaint with the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) but alleges the FIR was not registered due to the involvement of powerful individuals, including the then-DGP Sanjeev Marik.
Exhausted and facing financial needs for his daughter’s wedding, Rao says he eventually agreed to a deed of cancellation and received his money back.
Land Grabber with Political Connections?
OSAA alleges that Nrusingha, besides the aforementioned land, has also encroached upon 1.5 acres of forest land near Smruti Bana in the state capital. The group claims Nrusingha bribed officials to obtain approvals from the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and has constructed buildings on the illegally acquired land.
The total value of the allegedly grabbed land is estimated at Rs. 250 crore in the open market, according to OSAA.
Investigation and Accountability Sought
These allegations cast a long shadow on Odisha’s administration and raise serious questions about the involvement of influential figures. With Rao, a former high-ranking police officer, claiming to be a victim, the case demands a thorough investigation to ensure accountability and justice.
