- Former Minister and senior BJD MLA, Prafulla Samal, faced an intense interrogation lasting eight hours by ED.
- It was regarding alleged financial irregularities and mismanagement at Barapada Engineering College in Bhadrak.
- After coming out from the ED office, he refrained from divulging specific details, stating that he had responded to all inquiries posed by the ED during the session.
- The ED’s notice to Samal and his son Prayaskanti Samal, scheduled for February 28, pertained to allegations of financial mismanagement and irregularities amounting to Rs 20 crore.
- Samal’s son, Prayaskanti, stands as the primary accused in the corruption case concerning Barpada School of Engineering and Technology (BSET).
- The ED intensified its scrutiny by conducting raids at 10 locations associated with Samal, including six in Bhadrak town and four in Bhubaneswar.
Former Odisha Minister and senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA, Prafulla Samal, faced an intense interrogation lasting eight hours by officials of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) regarding alleged financial irregularities and mismanagement at Barapada Engineering College in Bhadrak.
After coming out from the ED office after the lengthy questioning, Samal assured the media of his full cooperation with the investigation. However, he refrained from divulging specific details, stating that he had responded to all inquiries posed by the ED during the session.
The ED’s notice to Samal and his son Prayaskanti Samal, scheduled for February 28, pertained to allegations of financial mismanagement and irregularities amounting to Rs 20 crore. This summons came amidst protests by college employees over the purported misuse of college funds for the purchase of land and luxury vehicles.
Previously, Samal and his son were implicated in a multi-crore scam at Barapada Engineering College, allegedly involving embezzlement of student fees for personal gain, including the acquisition of land and properties in Bhubaneswar.
The ED intensified its scrutiny by conducting raids at 10 locations associated with Samal, including six in Bhadrak town and four in Bhubaneswar. Samal, maintaining his stance of cooperation, expressed reluctance to comment further due to the ongoing legal proceedings.
Samal’s son, Prayaskanti, stands as the primary accused in the corruption case concerning the Barpada School of Engineering and Technology (BSET). Sources indicate that Prayaskanti is among the seven individuals summoned by the ED for interrogation.
The investigation into alleged financial irregularities at the institute commenced in 2016 when the Odisha Police registered an FIR, initiating probes under various sections of the IPC and the Explosive Substances Act.
Despite Samal’s previous assertions of the ED raids being politically motivated ahead of elections, the ongoing scrutiny underscores the gravity of the allegations and the imperative for thorough investigation and accountability.
The ED’s relentless pursuit of truth in this matter reflects a commitment to upholding the integrity of educational institutions and safeguarding public funds. As the case unfolds, scrutiny intensifies, signaling a pivotal moment in Odisha’s pursuit of justice and transparency in governance.
(With inputs from agencies)
