Bhubaneswar: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Odisha Police has arrested a realtor for allegedly duping homebuyers of more than Rs 15 crore by promising flats in a housing project in Chandaka area of Bhubaneswar.
The arrested accused has been identified as Pramod Kumar Sahoo (49), former director of Mishra Creations Private Limited.
The EOW registered a case against Sahoo following a complaint lodged by Swadesh Ray Chaudhury of Rasulgarh. According to the complaint, Sahoo had collected money from Ray Chaudhury and several other prospective homebuyers in 2016 after promising to provide them flats in a housing project in Chandaka.
The accused had assured the buyers that the flats would be delivered within 30 months. However, the promised possession was not provided and the money was allegedly not refunded despite repeated demands, following which a complaint was lodged with the EOW.
Sahoo was booked under Sections 406, 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B of the IPC and Section 6 of the Odisha Protection of Interests of Depositors (in Financial Establishments) Act, 2011.
During the investigation, the EOW found that Sahoo had allegedly played an active role in promoting the housing project. According to the agency, he, along with co-accused Jyotiranjan Mishra, Santosh Kumar Rath and others, approached prospective purchasers, showed them the project, facilitated flat bookings and assisted them with housing-loan formalities.
Statements recorded from several purchasers also corroborated Sahoo’s alleged involvement in the case, the EOW said.
The investigating agency has seized several incriminating documents from Sahoo during the probe. He is scheduled to be produced before a designated court in Cuttack.
The EOW had earlier arrested co-accused Mishra and Rath in connection with the case and produced them before the court.
