Koraput: A contractor was arrested for allegedly defrauding many Semiliguda residents of Rs 40 lakh by promising house construction and supply of building materials, police said Friday. The accused, Upendra Mohanty of Saraswati Nagar, Semiliguda, reportedly collected money from locals under false pretenses, then disappeared.
Two victims filed complaints with the Cyber Police Station, prompting an investigation that led to his arrest in Angul district. At a press conference held at 3:30pm at Koraput Police Headquarters, the Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) confirmed the arrest and detailed the allegations. In the first case, Sungadi Damu, 28, of Beheraguda, reported July 28 that Mohanty took Rs 20 lakh in three instalments via cheque after assuring him of building a house. Mohanty allegedly vanished after receiving the money and switched off his phone.
In the second case, Prafulla Kumar Pangi, 58, of Saraswati Nagar, claimed August 23 that Mohanty borrowed Rs 20 lakh, promising repayment within two months. He failed to repay and absconded. Police have registered two cases under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Mohanty has been produced in court. Investigators are now checking for additional victims. “Upendra Mohanty used his profession as a contractor to cheat people,” the ASP said. “Strict legal action will follow, and we are verifying whether more individuals were duped.”
