Bhubaneswar, Feb 28: Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials today uncovered a diversion of Rs 2.5 crore from the Odisha Forest Department during a raid on forest offices in Kalahandi district.
According to an ED statement, the Bhubaneswar Zonal office carried out search operations at the office and residences of forest range officials from Jaipatna Range, Kalahandi South division, in Kalahandi district. The raid followed critical inputs from the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).
Preliminary investigations by the ED indicated that several forest department officials were involved in diverting government funds meant for various developmental schemes by using multiple 'mule accounts.' Investigations revealed that officials, including forest guards and rangers, opened 121 mule accounts under different names. Funds were transferred to these accounts via NEFT from the range office and then quickly withdrawn using ATMs.
Many of these accounts were linked to the same mobile numbers. The total amount of misappropriated funds is believed to exceed Rs. 2.5 crore. During the raid, ED officials seized several ATM cards, mobile phones, withdrawal slips, digital devices, incriminating documents, and even an illegally suspected tiger skin.
