Bhubaneswar: Deputy Manager of Odisha Police Housing and Welfare Corporation (OPHWC) Pratap Samal, who had amassed illegal assets to the tune of Rs 14.88 crore which is over 1000 per cent of his known sources of income, reportedly had plans to invest in two Odia films.
According to Vigilance sources, the arrested official had signed an agreement to produce a film. His wife Sasmita Samal was to don the hat of the producer. However, no documents have been seized in this connection.
A relative of his reportedly has links with Ollywood and produced TV serials. This was through him that Samal had plans to invest his black money in film production.
His trips abroad are also being investigated. Samal had reportedly travelled to Bangkok on a number of occasions, the sources added.
Notably, Samal was arrested on Wednesday and a case registered under Sections 13(1)b and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act 2018.
He and his family own 25 plots, and three buildings including a 5-storey in Bhubaneswar. The official had bank deposits of Rs 1.61 crore and paid an annual insurance premium of nearly Rs 57.72 lakh. His wife has been charged with abetting her husband.
