Bhubaneswar, March 16: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the state crime branch today arrested Gayadhar Jena, a realtor, for allegedly cheating customers on the pretext of providing land in the city and its outskirts.

Jena was the managing director of Sarala Realcon Pvt Ltd, which operated from Jayadurga Nagar on Cuttack Road.

Sources said Jena also produced the Odia film Chauka Chhaka, which was released in 2013. The EOW raided his office and residence and seized incriminating documents. Police have also seized an SUV belonging to Jena.

"We had registered a case after getting complaints from customers and subsequently, Jena was arrested today," said superintendent of police, EOW, R. Patnaik.

Sources in the EOW said that preliminary investigations have so far revealed that the builder had cheated around 250 people to the tune of Rs 20 crore on the pretext of providing land.

"The company started operation in 2002. We are ascertaining the exact amount of the fraud. The total amount is likely to increase because the company had been running its business for more than a decade," said a police official.

"The company has completed seven plotted schemes and also constructing at least 10 real estate projects across Bhubaneswar. The projects are located at Jharpada, Pandara, Balianta and Satyabhamapur," said a police officer.

In June 2013, Saheed Nagar police had arrested Jena on charges of duping a customer of Rs 8 lakh.