By Anurjay Dhal
BHUBANESWAR: While alleging illegal mining and huge manipulation of mineral resources, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed Prosecution Complaint under PMLA against Jitendra Nath Patnaik & M/s BD Patnaik in the Special PMLA Court in Bhubaneswar . ED press release said the JN Patnaik, partner in M/s BD Patnaik and also former Champua MLA, has been involved in illegal mining without having any valid mining leases from State Government. The ED sought punishment of the aaccused persons for offence of money laundering and also for confiscation of the proceeds of crime worth Rs 133.87 Crore. The Special Court, PLMA, Bhubaneswar has taken cognizance of the prosecution complaint on 31.10.2023.
ED initiated investigation on the basis of the FIR registered by the Balasore Vigilance PS of Odisha Police and subsequent charge- sheet filed by the Vigilance Cell PS Cuttack , Odisha under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 , IPC, 1860 , Forest Conservation Act of 1980, MMDR Act 1957, MCDR 1988 against Jitu Patnaik and 14 other Government officials in connection with illegal mining.
ED investigation revealed that Jitu Patnaik , partner in M/s BD Patnaik has been involved in illegal mining without having any valid mining lease from State Government and necessary clearance from Ministry of Environment and Forest which caused a loss to the exchequer to the tune of Rs 130.39 Crore from 1989-2009. He utilised the illegally generated proceeds into his other businesses and enriched himself and his family members.
Earlier, ED had carried out serach operations under PMLA-2002 at the premises related to Jitu Patnaik in Bhubaneswar, Joda, Keonjhar on 11-05-2022 which resulted in seizer of fixed deposits amounting Rs 133.17 Crore and INR 70.01 Lakh.
With respect to the seizure , upon an application by the ED, the Adjudicating Authority , PMLA, New Delhi had allowed retention of the seized properties vide order dated 1.11.2023.
It may be noted here his family members are still holding position as directors in Thriveni Earth Movers Pvt Ltd a Tamil agency regulated by non-other than B Prabhakaran.
