Odisha: BJD MLA's Son Involved In Misappropriation Of Funds From Educational Institute, Says ED

According to ED, Prayaskanti Samal, along with BSET secretary Manoj Kumar Goswami and others, were allegedly involved in misappropriating the educational society funds.

The Enforcement Directorate's case can be traced back to a FIR filed by the Odisha Police in 2016. (Representative Image) ( Image Source :ANI )

New Delhi: The son of Odisha Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA Prafulla Samal, among others, was allegedly involved in the misappropriation of funds worth several crores from an educational society, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said on Saturday, news agency PTI reported.

The central probe agency conducted searches at 10 different locations in Bhadrak and Bhubaneswar as part of their ongoing inquiry under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on February 15. The focus of the probe revolved around MLA Prafulla Samal's son, Prayaskanti Samal, and several other officials associated with the Barapada School of Engineering and Technology (BSET) society, PTI reported.

Prayaskanti, the son of six-time BJD MLA Prafulla Samal, previously served as the president of BSET. The 76-year-old legislator represents the Bhandaripokhari assembly seat in Bhadrak and is a founding member of the BJD under the leadership of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

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The Enforcement Directorate's case can be traced back to a First Information Report (FIR) filed by the Odisha Police in 2016. According to the central agency, Prayaskanti Samal, along with BSET secretary Manoj Kumar Goswami and others, were allegedly involved in misappropriating the society funds through acts of “forgery and deceit”. ED said it has initiated an investigation under relevant sections of the IPC and Explosive Substances Act. 

"Prayaskanti Samal and his associates purportedly siphoned off crores of rupees through various financial irregularities. They are also alleged to have fraudulently diverted funds and assets, belonging to BSET, for personal gain, utilising forged and fabricated documentation," the ED said in a statement.

During the search operations, the Enforcement Directorate seized Rs 9 lakh cash along with a Toyota Fortuner SUV valued at Rs 40 lakh. Additionally, the authorities confiscated several "incriminating" documents, including undated cheques, land agreements, and digital devices, from multiple premises, PTI reported.