Minister Krushna Chandra Patra Falls Victim to Alleged Land Fraud

Odisha's Food Supply and Consumer Welfare Minister, Krushna Chandra Patra, finds himself in a legal quagmire after allegedly being defrauded of Rs 25 lakh over a land deal. The police have confirmed the initiation of an investigation into the matter, which is now making headlines.

Patra, while previously serving as a company director, handed over the payment to a middleman from Dhenkanal Sadar area with hopes of securing a plot of land. Despite repeated assurances, neither was the land provided nor was the amount reimbursed to him. Stricken by the ordeal, Patra has lodged a formal complaint at the Dhenkanal Town police station.

Classifying the issue as a personal affair, Patra stated, "It was an old case from four to five years ago." The police have since launched a manhunt to apprehend the suspect, who remains at large as the investigation unfolds.

(With inputs from agencies.)