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ED grills Odisha's richest MLA in mining scam, he denies it

Posted on June 28, 2018 from Orissa, National ι Report #207479

Bhubaneswar, June 28 (IANS) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday quizzed Odisha's richest MLA Sanatan Mahakud for his alleged involvement in a mining scam, informed sources said.

The Independent MLA, who is associated with transport company Maa Kuanri, however, denied grilling by the ED officials.

The MLA from Champua in mineral-rich Keonjhar district was grilled for hours over his business transactions with mine owners named in the Shah Commission report on the mining scam, the sources added.

"The ED had sought information from me in connection with my business. I have provided them with every bit of information. I am no offender. I am not involved in any scam," Mahakud told reporters here.

The ED had raided mining companies Sirajuddin and Company, Indrani Patnaik and Company and Triveni Earthmovers and the transport company on July 9, 2015, following its FIR under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on the basis of the commission report.

The Shah Commission had probed the multi-crore illegal mining scam in Odisha.

--IANS

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