Cuttack Court sentences Former Army Officer for Duping Defence Personnel

Greeva Garg –

Published on: August 28, 2021, at 17:10 IST

A Cuttack Court sentenced two persons, including a retired Lieutenant Colonel, Rakesh Rana and Managing Director of Brookson Infra Pvt Ltd Purna Chandra Panda to five years imprisonment after finding them guilty of Duping Defence Personnel.

Along with the imprisonment, the Court has ordered them to pay a fine of Rupees One lakh each.

“Apart from the imprisonment, Rana and Panda are also directed to pay a fine of Rs one lakh each. Similarly, the company has been penalised with a fine of Rs two lakh,” stated Special Public Prosecutor Biswajit Mohapatra of OPID (Special) Court.

The Court was dealing into the matter in conflict of Odisha Protection of Interests of Depositors (OPID) Act.

Rana and Panda have been alleged of collecting Rs. 29 crores form many defence personnel with promise to provide homestead land in their name.

However, after some time both Rana and Panda repudiated their promise and did not provide them with any land. Also, they refused to pay back the money of duped depositors.

Subsequent to this issue, the duped depositors filed a complaint against Rana and Panda with the Economic Offence Wing (EOW) of Odisha Police.

In progress to the complaint, the Police investigated the matter and charged Rana and Panda under various Sections of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 6 of the of the OPID Act.

During the trial of the matter, the Court found both Rana and Panda guilty of the offences charged on them and convicted them with appropriate punishment.

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