Odisha: ED Raids BJD Leader’s House, Cupboards Found Overflowing with Cash

New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday raided the residence of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) vice-president and contractor Hrushikesh Padhi in Ganjam district in connection with an illegal mining case. A ​​huge amount of cash was recovered during the raid, causing a sensation in the entire region.

ED officials found cupboards overflowing with bundles of currency notes, leaving the investigating team stunned during the search operation. Based on Padhi’s alleged network and financial connections, the ED conducted simultaneous raids at approximately 20 locations in Ganjam district. Searches are also underway at the residences of several businessmen in Berhampur city, including areas near Bijipur, Lanjipalli, Jayaprakash Nagar, and the New Bus Stand.

These raids are being conducted in connection with allegations of tax evasion and large-scale financial irregularities linked to Hrushikesh Padhi and his associates. However, the Enforcement Directorate has not yet issued any official statement regarding the source and exact amount of the seized cash.

Several sand mafia members in the district have allegedly amassed huge illegal wealth by obtaining sand leases in the names of auto owners, tractor drivers, and owners of paan and sweet shops.

Based on evidence against at least six such sand mafia members, the ED initiated action, resulting in the recovery of a large amount of cash. Further investigations are underway, and more details are expected to emerge as the probe progresses.

These premises belong to brokers, mafia members with serious criminal backgrounds, and their business partners. These include goons and strongmen who, using their power, exploit and terrorize local residents while illegally mining minor minerals.

Earlier, the ED had initiated an investigation by registering an ECIR based on several FIRs registered against various sand mafia members involved in the illegal mining and transportation of minor minerals using fake and fabricated documents in Ganjam district. Recently, the CAG exposed large-scale illegal mining in the riverbeds of the Rushikulya, Bahuda, and Bada rivers in Ganjam district, resulting in huge losses to the government exchequer.