Cuttack: Police have registered an FIR and launched a probe against additional home secretary Aradhana Das over an alleged Rs 95-lakh land fraud. Police said the case was registered at CDA Phase-II police station on Feb 5 on the complaint of Kamal Kumar Bhawsinka after prima facie evidence emerged against Das. The resident of CDA Sector-6 claimed that he had entered into an agreement in Nov 2022 to buy Das’s plot in CDA Sector-10 for Rs 95 lakh. According to the FIR, the complainant transferred Rs 85 lakh to Das’s bank account through RTGS and paid the rest in cash. Despite receiving the entire sum, Das allegedly failed to register the land or hand over its possession to Bhawsinka. When the complainant sought execution of the sale deed, Das allegedly claimed that the money had already been spent. She is also accused of abusing the complainant and threatening him with false cases. Based on the complaint, police registered the case under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 318(4) (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), Section 316(2) (criminal breach of trust), Section 296(b) (criminal intimidation) and Section 351(2) (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace). Police said a detailed probe report submitted by CDA Phase-II police to DCP Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo on March 21 confirmed the financial transactions and non-compliance by the accused. “Preliminary investigation indicates that the complainant’s claims are supported by transaction records. We are proceeding as per legal provisions,” a senior police officer said. The official added that police have sought govt sanction to proceed against the officer. “Since the accused is a serving government official, prior approval is required. We have initiated the process,” he said. On April 6, the commissionerate police intimated the general administration department regarding the FIR. The police mentioned that Das didn’t cooperate in the inquiry and refused to accept the official communication sent by post. Police said the complainant has submitted documentary evidence including bank transaction records.Police also said Das allegedly did not cooperate with the investigation and refused to accept notices sent to her. Efforts to obtain her response so far have proved futile.
