BHUBANESWAR: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the State Crime Branch on Monday arrested the proprietor of a small scale industry on charges of criminal conspiracy and fraud to the tune of `37.5 lakh.
The accused Sajjan Kumar Santuka owns a furniture manufacturing unit at Jagatpur in Cuttack district.
Santuka had entered into an agreement with one Kishorilal Chhapolia for purchase and transfer of a plot at Industrial Estate, Jagatpur two years back. He had paid an initial amount of `18 lakh to Chhapolia towards the deal.
Few weeks after the agreement was signed, Santuka allegedly forged ownership documents with the help of his associates and some IDCO officials and transferred the property in his own name, said Deputy Inspector General of EOW Sanjay Kumar.
Besides, the accused had also forged Record of Rights (RoR) of the plot by tampering with official documents.
"As per the norms of IDCO, the owner of an industrial plot can apply for transfer of ownership only after the prospective buyer has paid all outstanding dues in favour of the deal. This guideline was violated by the accused," said Kumar. For the last two years, Santuka was running his manufacturing unit at the plot he had acquired by fraudulent means.
The accused was arrested on the basis of a complaint lodged by Divisional Head of IDCO, Cuttack Samir Ranjan Mohanty.
Santuka was produced in a local court on Tuesday.