The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has escalated its pursuit of justice by filing a Prosecution Complaint under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) against Basanta Kumar Bastia and his wife. The legal action, initiated on 30/10/2023, unfolded in the Court of the Sessions Judge, Khurda at Bhubaneswar -Cum- Special Court (PMLA), Bhubaneswar. The ED’s objective is clear: seeking the conviction of the accused couple and the confiscation of properties valued at a staggering Rs. 1.16 crore.
This development gained momentum on 2/11/2023 when the Hon’ble Special Court acknowledged the Prosecution Complaint, taking cognizance of the allegations. In a decisive move, the court directed the issuance of summonses to the accused, setting the stage for legal proceedings.
The roots of this legal battle trace back to an FIR registered by Vigilance P.S. Cuttack Division, invoking various sections of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018. The ED, prompted by this FIR, initiated an exhaustive investigation into the possessions of Basanta Kumar Bastia and Rina Bastia, suspecting them of amassing disproportionate assets.
The ED’s findings reveal a complex web of financial activities. Basanta Kumar Bastia, allegedly funnelling ill-gotten gains, invested significantly beyond his known sources of income. The funds were utilized to acquire a spectrum of immovable properties and were strategically placed in bank investments, both under his name and that of his wife. Rina Bastia actively collaborated with her husband in acquiring properties, all without a verifiable legal source.
This is not the first instance of the ED taking action in this case. In August 2023, the enforcement agency had attached assets worth Rs. 1.16 crore through a Provisional Attachment Order. The attached properties include eight land lots scattered across Khurda and Cuttack districts, collectively valued at Rs. 1.02 crore. As the legal saga unfolds, the ED remains steadfast in its pursuit of justice, aiming to curb money laundering and bring the accused to account for their alleged financial misconduct.
