Berhampur: In a significant step against cyber-enabled financial crimes, a court in Ganjam district has issued a notice for the attachment of property allegedly acquired through the operation of mule bank accounts used by cybercriminals.
The Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC), Khallikote, on February 25 issued a 14-day notice to Sushant Sahu of Sankuda village under Beguniapada police station limits, directing him to respond to proceedings initiated for the attachment of his house and land in Berhampur. The property has a benchmark value of approximately ₹35 lakh. The action has been initiated under Section 107(5) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
Police described the development as the first instance of property attachment proceedings under the BNSS in Odisha.
A senior police officer stated that the police moved the court after investigations indicated that Sahu had earned substantial sums by operating mule accounts in banks to facilitate cyber fraud operations. Sahu was arrested on December 2 last year in connection with cyber fraud activities.
According to investigators, he allegedly persuaded villagers to sell their bank accounts and identity documents in exchange for commissions. He is also accused of floating a company to streamline and manage such operations.
During the probe, police found that one of Sahu’s bank accounts recorded transactions exceeding ₹1 crore within a span of three days. He reportedly failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the source of the funds.
Further investigation revealed that he had purchased immovable property in Berhampur using money suspected to have been generated through these unlawful activities.
After conducting due diligence and coordinating with officials from the GST and Revenue departments, police filed a petition before the JMFC court seeking attachment of the property believed to have been acquired from proceeds of crime.
Two criminal cases are currently pending against Sahu — one at Khallikote police station and another at the cyber police station in Berhampur.
Police said the action signals a firm stance against those enabling cybercriminal networks by monetising bank accounts and identity credentials, and reflects a growing focus on financial asset tracing and recovery in cybercrime investigations.
