Bhubaneswar: Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra has reportedly become a victim of land fraud, suffering a financial loss of Rs 25 lakh in a deal gone wrong.
The incident, which dates back to 2021—before Patra’s entry into politics—unfolded when he was serving as a company director. According to reports, a man from Banasingh under the Dhenkanal Sadar police limits approached him with an offer to facilitate the purchase of a plot at a discounted rate in the same area.
Trusting the proposal, Patra paid an advance of ₹25 lakh to the middleman. However, the land deal never materialised. The accused not only evaded further communication but also issued two cheques that later bounced. Despite multiple legal notices and deadlines for repayment—initially set for November 30, 2024, and later extended to January 2025—the amount remained unpaid.
Left with no other option, the minister lodged a formal complaint at the Dhenkanal Town Police Station on Sunday, seeking recovery of the defrauded sum and the arrest of the accused.
“This is a personal matter from five years ago, long before I entered politics. Someone cheated me on the pretext of selling land. I’ve lodged a complaint, and the police are investigating,” Patra told reporters.
Police have launched a probe and are working to locate the accused.
