February 28th 2025.
The Enforcement Directorate revealed on Friday that they had uncovered a case of alleged financial misappropriation in the Odisha forest department, amounting to a whopping 2.5 crore rupees. Their investigations led them to conduct raids at the Jaipatna Range office in the Kalahandi district, where they discovered evidence of illegal activities.
According to a statement released by the federal probe agency, their attention was drawn to this case after receiving a report from the financial intelligence unit regarding "money mule accounts." Further investigations revealed that certain officials within the forest department were using these accounts to divert large sums of money and misuse funds that were meant for government schemes.
Upon initial examination, it was discovered that forest guards and rangers were involved in the creation of 121 mule accounts under various names. These accounts received funds via NEFT from the range office, which were then immediately withdrawn from ATMs. It was also noted that many of these accounts were opened using the same mobile numbers. The Enforcement Directorate suspects that the total diversion of funds from the forest department could be more than 2.5 crore rupees.
During the raids, the agency seized a number of incriminating items such as ATM cards, mobile phones, withdrawal slips, digital devices, and even a suspected tiger skin. The use of mule accounts, which are often used by scamsters to transfer illicit funds, was a key factor in this case. The Enforcement Directorate is continuing their investigations and will take appropriate action against those involved in this financial misappropriation within the Odisha forest department.
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