Berhampur: In a significant breakthrough, Gosaninuagaon police apprehended 43-year-old Chetan Kumar Choudhury, alleged mastermind behind a residential plot scheme scam.
Choudhury has been accused of duping more than 200 unsuspecting investors of over Rs 5 crore under the garb of a monthly instalment-based land allotment plan.
The accused, currently residing at Rajarani Residency in Berhampur’s Gosaninuagaon, operated under the banner of Saadhvi Construction & Logistics, police informed.
Between August 2019 and September 2021, Choudhury lured hundreds of individuals with promises of residential plots in the ‘Mayuri Vihar’ project, asking them to invest in monthly assurance deposits.
The matter came to light when A. Santosh Kumar Patro, an accountant and field agent of the firm, lodged a complaint. Patro claimed he and other staff members were directed by Choudhury to collect payments and issue receipts. But when the promised deadline for land allotment arrived, Choudhury denied all knowledge of the transactions, branding the issued receipts as fake and disowning responsibility.
Police seized evidence including the proposed layout plan of ‘Mayuri Vihar’ residential project, 190 pages of daily collection slips and 96 pages of money receipts issued to investors.
Patro also stated that he faced harassment and intimidation from the accused when questioned, even as angry depositors began demanding their plots.
Upon investigation, it was unearthed that Choudhury had systematically embezzled crores under the guise of an elaborate housing scheme. Gosaninuagaon police acted swiftly and arrested the accused on Sunday.
Case No. 226/12-07-2025 under sections 318(4)/351(2) BNS has been registered against Choudhury.
He was produced before court, and further legal proceedings are underway.
Choudhury faces other cases too. Criminal complaints have been registered against him at Badabazar police station, hinting at a deeper, more widespread scam.
Police have assured all affected investors will be identified, and steps taken to recover the embezzled money.
This case is a stern reminder to the public to remain vigilant and verify the credibility of real estate ventures before making financial commitments.
