Builder Arrested For ‘Grabbing’ Lingaraj Temple Land In Odisha Capital

Bhubaneswar: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) here on Thursday arrested the managing director of Sampad Builders Pvt Ltd, a real estate company, Pradeep Kumar Mishra for allegedly grabbing the land of Lingaraj Temple in the Odisha capital.

He was forwarded to the SDJM Court, Bhubaneswar, the same day.

According to the sources,  a case was registered against him on the written report of Executive Officer, Lord Lingaraj Temple Office, Abanikant Mohanty in a matter related to grabbing of land of the Lord on the basis of forged documents.

The investigation so far revealed that some plots at Basuaghai mauza under Bhubaneswar Tehsil was recorded in the name of Lingaraj Dev Bije, Bhubaneswar, C/O Brundaban Mohapatra and Durga Charan Mohapatra, who had died since long.

Kedarnath Mohapatra, the adopted son of Late Durga Charan Mohapatra, executed two general power of attorneys in 2002 and 2004 for selling the properties in favour of the builder illegally, since he had no power to transfer the said properties.

Mishra subsequently sold the land to seven customers, suppressing the fact, in connivance with Kedarnath.

Notably, Kedarnath was arrested on April 7 this year.