The high‑profile Komna land fraud case in Nuapada district has taken a dramatic turn. In a rare twist, the victim family themselves traced and caught the alleged fake landowner, Satyanarayan Pradhani, in Chhattisgarh, before handing him over to Komna police.
Police have now placed Satyanarayan in custody and are interrogating him to uncover the larger conspiracy. Allegations suggest that nearly 4 acres and 40 decimals of land were fraudulently sold using forged documents, where the original owner’s name was retained but another person’s photograph was used.
The incident has sparked debate over police efficiency, as questions arise about why investigators failed to track the accused earlier while the victim family succeeded. The role of the Revenue Department has also come under scrutiny, with reports that the Komna Tehsildar and Sub‑Registrar were suspended for facilitating fraudulent registration.
Further allegations point to cheque transactions worth Rs 68 lakh, some without dates, reportedly shown in the Tehsildar’s chamber. The case is now under intense investigation, with police expected to unravel the entire fraud network based on Satyanarayan’s interrogation.
Authorities say the probe must not only focus on Satyanarayan but also expose the full chain of individuals who prepared forged documents, facilitated the transaction, and benefited from the fraud.
