Land Broker Arrested by Berhampur Police for Selling Property Using Invalid Power of Attorney
K. Santosh Patra, Odishabarta
District Correspondent
Berhampur, May 16, 2026:Berhampur Nimakhandi Police have arrested a land broker for allegedly selling property by fraudulently using an invalid Power of Attorney (PoA).
According to police sources, the complainant, B. Narsingha Patra, stated that his mother, late B. Kasturi Patra, owned a piece of land situated at Bhabinipur Mouza. She had executed a General Power of Attorney in favour of Rajib Kumar Tripathi, son of Pratap Chandra Tripathi of Brajanagar 1st Lane, Lochapada, on March 22, 2010, authorising him to sell the land.
However, B. Kasturi Patra passed away on June 23, 2010, barely three months after executing the Power of Attorney. With her death, the Power of Attorney automatically became invalid.
At the time of execution of the PoA, the land in question was recorded under Khata No. 129, Plot No. 384 measuring Ac. 0.377 decimals and Plot No. 1041 measuring Ac. 0.454 decimals.
Police said that despite being fully aware that the Power of Attorney had lapsed after the death of the executant, the accused allegedly dishonestly and fraudulently sold the land by using the invalid document.
The matter came to light when the complainant later intended to sell the property and discovered that the accused had already sold the entire land without obtaining any fresh Power of Attorney from the legal heirs
Before the execution of the PoA, the accused had reportedly agreed to pay Rs.10 lakh per Bharana (approximately 200 decimals) for the land. However, following the death of the complainant’s mother, the agreement and the authority granted through the PoA ceased to remain legally valid.
During investigation, Nimakhandi Police seized several important documents, including:
- Death Certificate of B. Kasturi Patra
- General Power of Attorney document
Police alleged that the accused knowingly sold the property for wrongful gain despite being aware that the Power of Attorney had already become invalid.
A police team conducted a raid and apprehended the accused.
During interrogation, he reportedly confessed to his involvement in the offence and failed to provide any valid defence.
The accused was arrested on May 16, 2026, and forwarded to the Court of the learned JMFC, Berhampur, on the same day.
Further investigation into the matter is currently underway. Police have appealed to the public to approach their nearest police station if they have any complaints against the accused.
