Ranchi: The CBI Special Court in Ranchi on Saturday sentenced former minister Anosh Ekka, his wife Menon Ekka, former Ranchi LRDC Kartik Prabhat, and others to seven years of rigorous imprisonment in a 15-year-old land scam involving violations of the Chotanagpur Tenancy (CNT) Act.
The court also imposed fines on all convicts, warning of an additional one-year term in case of default. The verdict came a day after the court found them guilty of illegally purchasing and selling tribal land by flouting CNT Act provisions.
Appearing through video conferencing, the convicts heard the punishment pronounced after a trial led by CBI Special Public Prosecutor Priyanshu Singh.
Investigations revealed that Ekka, misusing his office as minister, used fake addresses to acquire tribal land with the help of then LRDC Kartik Prabhat. In Menon Ekka’s name, properties were purchased between 2006 and 2008, including 22 kathas in Hinoo, 12 acres in Ormanjhi, 4 acres in Newari, and 9 decimals in Siramtoli, Chutia.
The CBI established evidence of large-scale collusion between officials and staff, leading to convictions. This marks the fourth criminal conviction for Anosh Ekka, who has earlier been found guilty in the para-teacher murder case, a money laundering case, and a disproportionate assets case.
