A shocking case of fraud has surfaced in Bhubaneswar, where Umakant Jena, a resident of Maitri Vihar, was duped of Rs 2.3 lakh by an individual falsely claiming ownership of government land.
The incident, reported at the Infocity police station, has sparked concerns about fraudulent land deals in the city, with authorities now investigating the accused, Ratan Mishra, under Section 316(2) of the Indian Penal Code.
According to the complaint filed by Jena, the incident began when Ratan Mishra, a resident of Pathargadia, approached him with an offer to sell a plot of land located between KISS Road and Pathargadia. Mishra claimed the land was registered in his name and expressed his intent to sell it due to personal difficulties. Intrigued by the proposal, Jena, accompanied by his wife, visited the site and reviewed the documents provided by Mishra, which appeared legitimate and bore his name.
After negotiations, both parties agreed on a price, and Jena paid an advance of ₹2.3 lakh through PhonePe as a token of confirmation. However, suspicions arose when Jena later verified the documents and discovered a startling truth: the land was government property and not legally available for sale. When confronted, Mishra became unresponsive, neither answering calls nor meeting Jena to address the issue, effectively vanishing after pocketing the money.
Left with no other recourse, Jena approached the Infocity police station, where a case was registered under case number 253/25. The police have initiated a thorough investigation to track down Mishra and uncover the extent of the scam. “We are examining the documents provided by the accused and working to locate him. Such fraudulent activities undermine public trust, and we are committed to bringing the culprit to justice,” said a senior official from the Infocity police station.
This incident highlights the growing menace of land fraud in Bhubaneswar, where unsuspecting buyers are lured with falsified documents and promises of lucrative deals.
Jena and his wife expressed their distress over the ordeal, emphasising their struggle to recover the significant sum. “We trusted the documents and his assurances, but now we’re left cheated. We hope the police can help us get our money back,” they said.
As the investigation continues, this case serves as a stark reminder for potential buyers to conduct due diligence and avoid falling prey to fraudulent schemes involving government land.
