Saura Land Scam: More Trouble for Baijayant Panda and Jagi Panda as HC Denies Interim Protection

Cuttack: In a major development in the alleged Sarua land scam by Odisha Infratech Pvt Ltd (OITL), the Orissa High Court today denied interim protection to BJP national vice president Baijayant Panda and his wife Jagi Mangat Panda in connection with the case.

The High Court also rejected the petition filed by Odisha Infratech and others challenging the case filed by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Crime Branch in connection with the land scam. It also rejected the plea seeking the dismissal of the case on Saura land scam.

The developments apparently indicate that Baijayant Panda and Jagi Panda, who are the major shareholders and promoters in OITL, have landed in more troubles. Even the duo maybe arrested for their role in the fraudulent transactions by the company.

The High Court bench headed by Justice BP Rautaray had concluded the hearing the petition on November 13 and reserved its judgment. The bench gave its judgment today.

The High Court ruled that it will not intervene the matter as the case is under investigation. The court also lifted its interim order, which has created more troubles for the Panda couple.

Earlier on November 5, the Court had issued an interim injunction against the arrest of Baijayant Panda and his wife, and directed to follow the order till the hearing of the case on November 13.

During the hearing, the second petitioner, Manoranjan Sarangi told the court that he had resigned as the CEO and director of Odisha Infratech and did not want to go forward on the case. The bench then ordered to drop Sarangi from the case.

More than 7 acres of land was allegedly purchased by the company in the name of Rabi Sethi, who was working as a driver of one of the directors of the firm, and later sold. However, he was never in possession of the land. Scheduled Caste (SC) people have been cheated in the incident while Rabi Sethi was used as conduit, the Crime Branch informed.

Between June, 2010 and June, 2013, the company had purchased lands at Sarua in Khordha district belonging to Scheduled Caste people at prices much lower than the benchmark valuation in the name of Rabi Sethi, who was working as a driver of one of the directors of the firm. Possession of the land was never with Sethi, rather it was taken over by the firm, the Crime Branch had said.