ED raids properties linked to BJD MLA Pramila Mallik's brother in fraud case

Bhubaneswar, Dec 18: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) initiated raids on Wednesday targeting properties associated with Khirod Chandra Mallick, the brother of BJD whip and former minister Pramila Mallik. These operations took place in both Sambalpur and Delhi as part of an investigation into an alleged financial fraud amounting to ₹231 crore.

Khirod Mallick passed away from a heart attack on September 18, 2024. His organization, the Bharat Integrated Social Welfare Agency (BISWA), is accused of defrauding multiple nationalized banks across Odisha and other states since 2010. Reports suggest he misused loans intended for self-help groups (SHGs) by submitting falsified utilization certificates.

Currently, the ED is conducting searches at his residence, the NGO’s office, and another property owned by him in Sambalpur, while the BISWA headquarters in Delhi is also being scrutinized.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had previously filed several fraud cases against Khirod and his organization in 2020, prompting the ED to launch a parallel inquiry in 2021.

Furthermore, in October 2019, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Crime Branch arrested Khirod and his son, Debabrata Mallick, related to financial irregularities dating back to 2012. This was not his first brush with the law, as he was also arrested in May 2012 for his alleged involvement in an acid attack case in Bhubaneswar.