The term “Bunti-Babli” has become a hot topic in Bhubaneswar, grabbing attention from corporate circles to mining companies. Now, it’s at the centre of a tax evasion scandal, where crores of rupees have been funnelled through this operation. Efforts are underway to recover the money and secure the release of Bunti-Babli duo, Anil Kumar Mohanty and Hansika Abhilipsa, who the Commissionerate Police arrested. The entire episode feels like a plot straight out of a movie, but it’s entirely real.
Investigators revealed that 49-year-old Anil Kumar Mohanty now controls three companies, two of which belong to the Sirajuddin family, a prominent mining group in Odisha. Anil and his brothers Asit and Ajit also established a real estate company in June 2023. Among the Sirajuddin family’s companies, Totten Trade and Credit Private Limited, founded in Kolkata 30 years ago, is now wholly owned by Anil and his wife, Smritsnigdha Mohanty. This firm was initially created by Sirajuddin’s late daughter, Famida Sirajuddin, and acts as a financial intermediary. Anil became an additional director in 2019 and took full control by 2021.
Similarly, in Mahadutin Trading Private Limited, another Sirajuddin family venture, Anil and Smritsnigdha hold shares alongside family members Vinod Kumar Sethia and Nagma Yazdani. Anil became a shareholder in 2018, while Smritsnigdha joined in 2021. This company handles legal and financial services and continues to post profits. However, questions remain about the motivations behind the Sirajuddin family’s support for Anil in these companies.
Anil also worked as a director in Aliza International Pvt Ltd and Fahmida International Pvt Ltd, both tied to the Sirajuddin family. Notably, Aliza International was scrutinised during the Justice MB Shah Commission’s probe into Sirajuddin Mining Company’s illegal transactions.
Sources suggest Anil wielded significant influence during the BJ government era, functioning as a middleman in mining deals. He also reportedly owned an ore transport company and served as an MLA from Jajpur. An influential minister, who controlled multiple departments, introduced Anil to Hansika and played a key role in transforming Bishnupriya Chand from Kalahandi into Hansika Abhilipsa of Bhubaneswar. Post-2019, approximately ₹300 crore in party funds allegedly flowed through Anil’s companies, facilitating investments of black money from influential leaders.
The Income Tax department’s investigation into Anil and Hansika’s financial dealings is expected to bring the Sirajuddin family and BJJ leaders under scrutiny. Authorities are preparing to freeze assets worth over ₹100 crore and question those involved in these illegal transactions.
This loot syndicate, which thrived for years with Anil as a key player in mining and corporate dealings, has now unravelled following a complaint at Infocity Police Station. After a deputy director of a private university funded by NGOs and CSR activities filed the case, Commissionerate Police raided Anil’s operations, exposing this multi-crore scandal.