Bhubaneswar: A complaint has been lodged against BJP’s National Vice President Baijayant Panda and his wife and OTV’s MD Jagi Mangat Panda in connection with the alleged land grabbing at Sarua village in Khurda district.
They are major shareholders and promoters of Odisha Infratech Pvt Ltd, which is accused of purchasing more than 7 acres belonging to Scheduled Caste people in the village by fraudulent means through a conduit, Rabi Sethi who was never in possession of the land.
The complaint has been lodged by Rashtriya Dalit Mahasabha at the Capital police station here. They have demanded registration of a case against the duo under the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and their arrest.
Meanwhile, the arrested director of the company Manoranjan Sarangi has resigned from the post citing health issues and personal reasons. He also stepped down from the post of CFO, OTV.
On Thursday, Odisha Police had requested the Income Tax department to investigate the Benami transaction angle in the land scam as per the provision of Benami Transaction (Prohibition) Act. The Economic Offence Wing will continue to probe into other aspects of the case.
