Congress Chief Whip and Jeypore MlA Tara Prasad Bahinipati has come under the purview of investigation in the arrested former Sanakhemundi Congress MlA Ramesh Jena case for giving his Government quarters to Jena in Bhubaneswar for stay.
Police suspected that Jena and his associates were running their criminal activities from this house.
The matter came to light after the identity cards of the former MlA’s criminal associates Santosh Behera and Manoj Khatua, who were among the four dacoits arrested by the Commissionertae Police on Monday, bore the address of Bahinipati’s official residence, house No. 14/3 at the MlA Colony at Unit IV in the State capital.
“Ramesh Jena’s stay at Congress MlA Tara Prasad Banhinipati’s quarters would be investigated,” said Commissioner of Police YB Khurania.
Meanwhile, the Brahmapur police arrested Brahmapur Municipal Corporation (BMC) Congress Corporator R Murali Mohan and builder Buna Sahu for their alleged involvement in Jena’s real estate business.
Mohan, Corporator of Ward-5, had earlier been detained for three days for interrogation. Police said both Mohan and Buna were involved in the Gandhinagar real estate scam.
“On the allegation of illegal and forceful possession of land, a case has been registered at the Town police station against Ramesh Jena, his father Arakhit Jena, Corporator Mohan, builders Rabindra Sahani and Buna Sahu,” said Brahmapur SP Sarthak Sarangi at a Press meet held on the day.
While the Corporator and builder Sahu were forwarded to court, builder Sahani was absconding, the SP said. Besides, a special team led by Brahmapur SDPO Santanu Dash and ASP Trinath Palit is investigating into Jena’s links, he added.
Meanwhile, a police team has conducted raids at the gutkha factory of Jena in Visakhapatnam.