Bhubaneswar, Dec 8: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested three individuals in Bhubaneswar on Sunday, accusing them of financial irregularities and involvement in tender-fixing.
This follows the agency’s seizure of a substantial sum of cash from a luxury car in Bhubaneswar on Saturday.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Chanchal Mukherjee, the head of Kolkata-based Bridge and Roof Company (India) Limited, a central public sector enterprise (CPSE) engaged in several government projects; senior officer Pradeep Mahant; and Debadutta Mohapatra, the owner of Aditya Dev Infratech Private Limited.
Ongoing raids are taking place across eight locations in Odisha, including the CPSE’s zonal offices in Bhubaneswar and Chhatrapur, as well as Mohapatra’s residence in Phulnakhara.
Reports suggest that the CBI seized a white car used by a government officer, who switched between three different cars on the way to a star hotel in the city. It was at this hotel that the CBI, in coordination with local police, conducted a surprise raid late on Saturday night, where a multi-crore deal was allegedly being negotiated.
A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered Rs 1 crore in cash and a significant amount of gold ornaments. Mohapatra, along with other individuals in the car, was taken to the CBI office for questioning.
The CBI has filed a case in Delhi concerning the alleged tender-fixing activities involving Bridge and Roof Company Limited, which involves transactions worth several crores of rupees. As a result, raids are being carried out in Delhi, Kolkata, and Odisha.
