The Enforcement Directorate on Friday recovered a massive cache of cash during raids at the residence of Hrushikesh Padhi, vice-president of the Ganjam district unit of the Biju Janata Dal, in connection with an illegal mining case. The recovery has sent shockwaves across the region.
During the search operation, officials discovered cupboards and almirahs packed with bundles of currency notes, along with liquid cash worth crores, high-end benami vehicles, and documents linked to immovable properties, agreements, and mining leases allegedly executed by the accused. Sources said the sheer volume of cash stunned the investigating team.
Acting on Padhi’s alleged financial network and links, the ED carried out simultaneous raids at nearly 20 locations across Ganjam district. Searches were also conducted at the residences of several businessmen in Berhampur, including areas such as Bijipur, Lanjipalli, Jayaprakash Nagar and localities near the New Bus Stand.
The raids are part of a probe into alleged tax evasion and large-scale financial irregularities involving Padhi and his associates. The ED has not yet issued an official statement detailing the exact amount of cash seized or its source.
Investigators said several sand mafias in the district allegedly generated huge illegal earnings by securing sand leases in the names of auto owners, tractor drivers, and small shopkeepers. Acting on evidence against at least six such mafias, the ED initiated the crackdown that led to the recovery of the cash haul. Further investigation is underway.
According to sources, the raided premises belong to brokers and mafias with serious criminal antecedents, including gangsters and “bahubalis,” who allegedly used muscle power to carry out illegal mining of minor minerals, exploiting and intimidating local residents.
The ED had earlier registered an ECIR based on multiple FIRs against sand mafias accused of illegal mining and transportation of minor minerals in Ganjam district using forged and fabricated documents. Recently, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India flagged rampant illegal mining along the riverbeds of the Rushikulya River, Bahuda River and Bada River, causing massive losses to the government exchequer.
