Odisha government land encroachment scam: What we know so far about ex-CBI director's explosive allegations

Former Director of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) M Nageswara Rao has alleged that government lands in Odisha were sold by a land mafia led by a man with political links. Nageswara Rao has claimed that his family is among the several victims of the scam but his efforts to get an FIR filed have been thwarted as many powerful people are involved in the land grab. 

The revelation, which sent shockwaves across Odisha, claimed that the scam was to the tune of Rs 250 crore. Here are five things that we know about the retired IPS officer's shocking claims so far:

1. Large patches of government land in Odisha were encroached on by a mafia under the leadership of one Nrusingha Prasad Sundaray alias Babino using forged documents, Nageswara Rao claimed.

2. "I was victim of a fraud committed by Nrusinga Prasad Sundaray alias Babino in cahoots with powerful people in which they fraudulently sold government land which they encroached by creating forged documents etc, and the sale deed was registered with Sub-Registrar Office, Khandagiri, Bhubaneswar.

"Totally exhausted and finding no way to get justice, and in view of impending marriage of my daughter for which I needed money, I agreed for deed of cancellation which was registered on 4th June 2017 in the SRO, Khandagiri, Bhubaneswar and my money was returned. I have reported all these facts immediately after purchase and also every year since 2011 to 2017 in my Annual Property Returns submitted to Odisha Government and Central Government," the retired IPS officer wrote on X with documents supporting his claim.

3. In the social media post titled "DO NOT SLANDER THE VICTIM", the retired IPS officer alleged that his efforts to get FIRs registered in connection with the matter failed as many powerful people were involved in the case.

4. 7.5 acres of government land alongside National Highway has been sold and purchased at least 27 times using sale deeds in the names of kins of heavyweights, Odisha TV said in a report. The long list of names included the son of former Odisha DGP Sanjeev Marik, former Director of Intelligence R.P Koche, wife and son of former Additional DGP Shyam Sundar Hansdah along with the son and wife of M Nageswara Rao, the report said.

5. Nrusingha Prasad Sundaray is the brother of a former BJD corporator in Aiginia and the brother-in-law of corporator Sanjukta Sundaray, Odisha TV said in a report. He is in possession of 1.5 acres of forest land in Bhubaneswar, the report added.