The Commissionerate Police have arrested a local couple for allegedly duping a man of a staggering Rs 1.47 crore under the guise of lucrative real estate investments.
The accused have been identified as Srimanta Kalas and his wife, Soumya Subhadarshini Kalas, both residents of Tankapani Road in Bhubaneswar.
According to investigators, the couple meticulously built a false sense of security and legitimacy. Posing as influential industrialists, they introduced themselves to the victim, Sudhir Panigrahi, as the owners of Soumyashree Metals Machinery, claiming active business operations in the industrial hub of Choudwar, Cuttack. To further solidify their credentials, they also falsely claimed ownership of MS Strick Industries in Khordha.
Gaining the victim’s absolute trust through these elaborate fabrications, the duo promised to secure residential plots and houses for him in Bhubaneswar. Over time, they allegedly collected a total of ₹1,47,60,000 from Panigrahi before cutting off delivery and failing to provide any property.
Realising he had been scammed, the victim lodged a formal police complaint. Acting swiftly on the grievance, the Commissionerate Police launched a detailed probe, leading to the apprehension of the husband-wife duo.
Authorities have stated that further investigation is currently underway to uncover whether the accused are linked to similar fraudulent schemes targeting other citizens.
