Bhubaneswar, Aug. 26: The revenue department has expedited its probe to ascertain ownership of the disputed 100 acres at Ghangapatna on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar, which has allegedly been encroached upon by influential people.

The revenue department has identified 70 of the 100 acres as controversial. Revenue minister Bijayshree Routray said: “The department has so far identified 70 acres of land as disputed. Once the inquiry is complete, the land will be recorded by the government.”

However, the government is yet to ascertain details of the 3km road through the Chandaka forest that connects the disputed patch of land at Ghangapatna village. On being asked about the ownership of the land, the minister said: “We will be able to provide details on the status after the probe is over.”

Powerful people including Rajya Sabha member Kalapataru Das’s son and Dharmasala MLA Pranab Balabantaray and BJP state president K.V. Singh Deo’s daughter’s company have bought land in the area.

It is widely perceived that the road had been constructed to provide access to the disputed patch of land. The forest department, which had finished its inquiry, made it clear that it had no idea about the ownership of the land and who was constructing the road.

With the political heat rising over the land scam issue, the state BJP unit today demonstrated in front of Raj Bhavan and submitted a memorandum to Governor S.C. Jamir demanding a CBI probe into the Ghangapatana case and also into irregularities in the land allotment by government agencies.

Senior BJP leader Bijoy Mohapatra said: “A well established conspiracy has been hatched to take over the land. Earlier, we had raised the issue of allotment of plots. The government has already been exposed in the land scam. We will organise agitations across the state till a CBI probe is ordered.”

BJP state president K.V. Singh Deo said: “The governor has assured us that he will write to the government after going through the contents of the letter.”