Bhubaneswar, Oct 19 (IANS) The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Bhubaneswar Zonal Office, has filed a prosecution complaint against a Bhubaneswar-based miner in connection with an illegal mining, theft, dacoity and explosives supply case, the central agency said on Monday.

According to the official statement by the ED, the prosecution complaint was filed on October 16, 2026, before the Special Court (PMLA) in Bhubaneswar against Ratikanta Rout.

This is the first supplementary prosecution complaint in the case, while the main complaint had earlier been filed on July 7 this year against his wife, Laxmipriya Prusty, and his other accomplices.

The ED initiated the money laundering investigation against Rout based on multiple FIRs filed by the Odisha Police against him under the Indian Penal Code, 1860, the Arms Act, 1959, and the Explosive Substances Act, 1908 for his involvement in the offence of money laundering, including the acquisition, possession and concealment of proceeds of crime in the form of movable and immovable properties held in his own name, in the names of his family members and through his associated entities.

“Ratikanta Rout is a history-sheeter against whom as many as 27 FIRs have been registered at various police stations across Odisha, relating to, inter alia, illegal quarrying, theft, dacoity and the supply of explosives,” ED said.

According to the agency, Rout and his associated entities generated proceeds of crime exceeding Rs 341 crore. While he held minor mineral quarry leases in Dhenkanal, he allegedly engaged in large-scale excavation beyond permissible limits, extracted minerals from unauthorised areas, procured and used explosives illegally, and was involved in the theft and adulteration of minerals.

Drone and satellite surveys conducted by the Odisha Space Applications Centre (ORSAC) confirmed excess mining within the lease areas, as well as unauthorised excavation across seven patches outside the lease boundaries, which included government land and property owned by his company, M/s Assurance Condev Pvt. Ltd.

The ED stated that Rout laundered and moved funds through interconnected accounts and business entities, including Maa Tarini Stone Crusher, RLR Mercantile, Sai Sambhu Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. (SSIPL), Assurance Metalloyd Exim Pvt. Ltd., and through individuals such as Laxmipriya Prusty.

The proceeds of crime were allegedly concealed in both movable and immovable assets registered in his name, in the names of family members, and under related businesses.

The agency had previously searched several linked premises on January 8, 2025. Rout was formally arrested on August 20, 2026, and remanded to ED custody for five days by the Special Court. His bail plea was subsequently rejected on August 26, 2026, sending him to judicial custody.

Later, an additional four days of ED custody was granted on September 7, 2026, after new incriminating evidence was produced by the agency.

The agency stated that Rout’s bail plea was dismissed after the court observed his prima facie involvement in money laundering activities.

–IANS

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