ED files prosecution complaint against Ratikant Raut in Odisha illegal mining case

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Highlights

The Enforcement Directorate filed the first supplementary prosecution complaint against Ratikant Raut before the PMLA Court, Bhubaneswar, on 16.10.2026.
The ED investigation found that Ratikant Raut and affiliated entities generated alleged proceeds of crime exceeding Rs. 341 crore through illegal mining and the procurement of explosives.
Drone and satellite surveys by the Odisha Space Applications Centre confirmed illegal mining at seven sites within and outside the lease area.

This article was translated from the original. Read the original version by our correspondent here.

Court proceedings and scope of the investigation

According to information provided by the Enforcement Directorate, the Bhubaneswar Regional Office filed this prosecution complaint against Ratikant Raut before the Special Court, PMLA, Bhubaneswar, on 16.10.2026. This is the first supplementary prosecution complaint in the case, while the main prosecution complaint was filed against Lakshmipriya Prusti and others on 07.07.2026.

The agency arrested Ratikant Raut on 20.08.2026 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. The ED alleges that Raut was involved in the acquisition, possession, and concealment of alleged proceeds of crime in the form of movable and immovable properties, held in his own name, in the names of family members, and through affiliated entities.

The ED said that 27 FIRs have been registered against Raut at various police stations in Odisha, including allegations of illegal mining, theft, robbery, and the supply of explosives. Following his arrest, he was produced before the Special Court on 21.08.2026, which granted five days of ED custody until 26.08.2026. On 26.08.2026, the court rejected his bail application and remanded him to judicial custody, while on 07.09.2026, the ED was granted an additional four days of custody in view of further evidence gathered.

Alleged proceeds of crime exceeding Rs. 341 crore

The investigation was initiated based on FIRs registered by Odisha Police under the Indian Penal Code, the Arms Act, 1959, and the Explosive Substances Act, 1908, involving scheduled offences under the PMLA. According to the ED, the investigation revealed that Ratikant Raut and entities associated with him generated and acquired alleged proceeds of crime exceeding Rs. 341 crore.

The agency alleges that these funds were generated through illegal mining, the unlawful procurement and use of explosives, and the theft and adulteration of minerals. The ED said that Raut held minor mineral mining leases in Dhenkanal, but excavated beyond the permitted limits and also extracted minerals from unauthorized areas.

Drone and satellite surveys conducted by the Odisha Space Applications Centre, ORSAC, allegedly found excess excavation within the lease area and illegal mining at seven sites outside the approved boundaries. These reportedly included government land and land owned by his company, M/s Assurance Condev Pvt. Ltd.

According to the ED, Maa Tarini Stone Crusher, RLR Mercantile, Sai Sambhu Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd., Assurance Metalloyd Exim Pvt. Ltd., and associated individuals and entities, including Lakshmipriya Prusti, were used to layer and move the funds. The agency also said that searches were conducted on 08.01.2025 under Section 17 of the PMLA at several premises of Raut and entities associated with him, leading to the identification of alleged proceeds of crime.

The Special Court has already rejected Raut's bail plea and made a prima facie observation of his involvement in money laundering based on evidence gathered by the ED Bhubaneswar. Further investigation in the case is ongoing.

Our previous report provided an update on ED action in a money laundering case linked to the alleged misappropriation of funds from Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Development Corporation Limited. It included information on the alleged withdrawal of approximately Rs. 14.95 crore through fake bank accounts and forged documents, as well as requests for the seizure/attachment of assets and the filing of a supplementary prosecution complaint before the PMLA court.

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