The Crime Branch of Odisha police today arrested 13 more persons in connection with the land scam at Ghangapatna village under Chandaka tehsil on the outskirts of the state capital.
"We have arrested 13 persons who were original lease holders of the land. They sold off the land to others even after their lease deeds were cancelled," Crime Branch ADG BK Sharma told reporters.
The state government, during 1969-1973, had leased out land to 13 landless persons for agricultural purpose, Sharma said adding that the government had cancelled the lease deeds as they did not utilise the land for cultivation.
The state government on August 28 had directed the Crime Branch to probe into the matter.
The Crime Branch had arrested eight persons including some government employees in this connection on September 19 on the basis of the report of Khurda district collector and tehsildar.