Five grenades and two automatic pistols were also recovered from the possession of Deepak alias Teenu, a resident of Haryana's Bhiwani.
Police said that Deepak, a member of Lawrence Bishnoi-Kala Jathedi-Sampat Nehra gang, was planning to flee from the country for which he had also procured a passport.
Police said that he is being brought to Delhi and will be produced in Court
Addressing a press conference, Special Commissioner of Police, Crime, H.G.S. Dhaliwal, said that after Deepak had fled from custody of the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) unit of the Mansa police, several teams of the Special Cell immediately swung into action.
"The teams kept a vigilant eye on the India-Nepal border, Bihar, UP, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal and even Jammu and Kashmir to nab the accused," he said.
"Police had detained and arrested several people during the 18-day investigation and found that Deepak was even getting international support to evade arrest," he said.
"After intense technical surveillance the Special Cell zeroed in on a location in Ajmer, Rajasthan and it was revealed that he was staying at a location which was the stronghold of deceased gangster Anandpal. Police teams conducted raids and nabbed him. Police also recovered five grenades and two automatic pistols from his possession," the Special CP said.
"During initial questioning, it was revealed that the accused is a close associate of Rohit Godara, who is based in Azerbaijan. Godara is an old accomplice of Sampat Nehra. Apart from Godara, Deepak was also associated with a person named Jack, who is based in Europe and an old accomplice of Anmol Bishnoi," he added.
On October 9, Punjab Police had arrested the girlfriend of Deepak, while she was on her way to the Maldives, for helping him escape from the custody of Mansa police.
The Kendrapara Sub Divisional Judicial Magistrate (SDJM) court granted permission to the Town police on Saturday to take Tito on remand.
Tito was sent on remand for his alleged complicity in the murder of engineer Debasish Sahoo, who was working at a private company. Sahoo was killed on December 21 last year.
Sources said the police will probe the tender fixing allegations behind Sahoo’s murder.
Earlier in the day, the gangster was presented before the court amid tight security.
Tito’s counsel, Sangram Keshari Singh informed that the remand has been granted to the Town police from 11 AM today till 11 AM of August 6.
Earlier yesterday, the notorious gangster was taken on a one-day remand by Marshaghai Police to elicit more information about his business and criminal links.
It may be noted that Tito was arrested following an encounter by special task force of Odisha Crime Branch near Chandikhole in Jajpur on June 30. More than 100 cases including murder, tender fixing, extortion and other criminal cases are pending against Tito in various police stations across Odisha. He is also allegedly involved in the attack on terror suspect Abdur Rehman’s brother at Jagatpur in Cuttack.
Tito made such startling revelations while he was being produced before the Kendrapara SJDM court after the end of his 3-day remand today.
"Without doing anything, cases are being registered against me. I am being harassed. I am innocent and being framed," said Tito to media persons when he was coming out of the Kendrapara SJDM court.
As it was for the first time that Tito made such statements publicly after his arrest following an encounter last month, it has now added fuel to the ongoing speculations over the gangster's political connections.
However, Tito refrained from speaking anything when asked about his political links.
It is pertinent to mention here that Tito was successful in creating his own business empire through tender fixing, extortion and other illegal means in the last two decades since 1998.
Question remains how Odisha police officials could not get a whiff of Tito's operation. If they were aware why action was not taken against him then and why the cops had to act tough against Tito now?
Whether such action is politically motivated and whether the investigation by Crime Branch's special task force (STF) will reveal the truth, remain to be seen.
Meanwhile, Tito's statements have already created a political flutter with major parties accusing their opponents of having nexus with the gangster.
"Earlier, everything was going on smoothly during BJD regime and everybody turned a blind eye. As all is not well within now, it could be the fallout of such differences," said BJP leader, Golak Mohapatra.
BJD spokesperson, Pratap Deb on the other hand stated that "As investigation is on, it would not be appropriate to comment on it now. Once the probe is over, the truth will come out."
Sources said the STF is likely to seek further remand of Tito soon over his inter-state criminal links and other benami properties. Besides, it is alleged that the gangster took an extortion of Rs 70 lakh from a contractor for a project of the Water Resources Department in Aul block which was billed at Rs 7 crore.
The accused S K Sayed & Babula Pati were arrested on Saturday night and are now being interrogated, said STF DIG (Deputy Inspector General of Police) Himanshu Lal today.
While Pati was nabbed from Kendrapara area, Sayed was arrested from Cuttack. More than 25 cases of loot and extortion are pending against them, sources said.
Meanwhile, STF is also interrogating a Labour Union leader, Rakesh Patnaik of Paradip today. The investigative agency is trying to find out his possible role in other organised crimes besides tender fixing, sources said.
Earlier on Friday, the STF took arrested gangster Tito on further remand to elicit more information about his businesses and crime networks.
Tito was produced before the Kendrapara SDJM Court on Thursday which allowed the CB to take the gangster on remand for three more days.
On June 30, Tito was initially taken on a five-day remand following his arrest after an encounter by the CB near Chandikhole in Jajpur.
The Special Task Force (STF) of Crime Branch will soon move court seeking permission to attach the property of gangster Tito which is estimated to be over Rs 100 crore.
The Crime Branch is preparing a blue print to attach the property of Tito on the basis of The Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 1944.
“Odisha government had come up with a law to seize property of those involved in criminal activities or any illegal businesses,” said former DG Sanjiv Marik.
Crime Branch sources said efforts are also on to ascertain Tito’s involvement in ‘Hawala’ racket. Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Income Tax department would also be approached for investigation into Tito’s monetary transactions.
It is suspected that Tito used to carry out monetary transactions worth crores through the bank accounts in the name of his wife.
Tito, who owns several luxury cars, is also believed to have invested in several properties including hotels in Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Goa.
The investigation agency is hopeful to elicit more information regarding Tito during the second phase interrogation. Today, the court allowed STF to take the gangster on remand for four more days.
“Court has allowed us four days remand. As our investigation is still on, it won’t be proper to reveal anything on Tito’s links and findings as it may hamper the investigation,” said Crime Branch DSP, Ramchandra Thambe.
“There is no law that bars anyone who has already left criminal activities from buying property. First let STF prove that the property belongs to the accused,” said Tito’s laywer, Bana Bihari Mohanty.
The youth has been identified as Kunu Panda, brother of gangster Papa Panda. According to sources, Kunu was travelling on a motorcycle when the two miscreants chased him and hacked with a sharp weapon.
Panda, who sustained critical injuries on his head and face, was rushed to the Balasore district hospital where doctors declared him dead.
Balasore SP Niti Sekhar informed that Kunu Panda was released from jail a few days back and two cases were pending against him.
A sword was seized from the spot and no detention has been made yet, the SP added.
Adding to his woes, even the Commissionerate Police, worried over the apex court’s breather to the notorious criminal, has decided to knock the SC doors seeking rejection of the bail. “A petition will be filed in the apex court for rejection of bail granted to Raja. A proposal in this regard will be given to the Odisha Home department very soon”, Commissioner of Police YB Khurania said.
On the other hand, the rejection of the bail by the High court came as a relief for some of the witnesses including album actress Leslie, Bidusmita and Gitanjali Panda, widow of Biranchi Das.
Gitanjali had alleged threats on her life and five other witnesses and demanded security cover for all. She had said earlier that she would consult with her counsel to move court again on the case.
Leslie Tripathy had also cited security concerns for her family.
Raja was convicted in the high profile murder case in December 2010 and has since been cooling his heels in the Jharpada special jail in Bhubaneswar. He was also awarded a four-year jail term by a trial court here in October 2011 for abducting Arun Mantri, brother of Ollywood actress Bidusmita, in April 2008.
Five members of the newly-floated gang were nabbed and arms were seized from their possession while they were plotting to perpetrate a crime, police said.
The arrested gangsters were involved in three bomb hurling incidents in the last one and a half month. Besides, a dozen of extortion crimes have been committed by them during the said period. They used to target contractors and employees of construction firms for protection money.
Of late the criminals had set on fire two JCB machines in Patkura police station areas as the construction firm owners had refused to oblige them with demanded extortion sum, said Kendrapara Superintendent of Police, Mr. Dayanidhi Gochayat.
An improvised revolver, live cartridges, a live bomb and two motor cycles were seized from their possession. The arrest was made following electronic tracking of their mobile phones, police added.
The bail was granted by the apex court on execution of surety of Rs 1 lakh.
Moreover, the bail was granted on six conditions which include that Raja will have to inform the concerned police station during his stay anywhere in the State during a particular day. Among others, the court has also stipulated Raja not to influence or threaten the witnesses.
“The conditions include that Raja will not terrorize anyone, won’t move out of the country and deposit the passport with the concerned court, and will inform the respective police station if he visits anywhere in the State,” said Raja’s advocate, Swagat Ray.
Earlier in the day the Commissionerate Police (CP) had approached the Supreme Court to impose strict conditions on his bail.
Two days back, when Biranchi’s wife Gitanjali Panda sought police protection after Acharya was granted bail by the SC, the Commissionerate Police assured her of the same.
“We have requested the court to impose stringent conditions. I have said earlier and reiterating again, there is no need for anyone to get terrorized. Whosoever approaches us for police protection, we will take it into consideration and if need be will provided security,” said Police Commissioner, YB Khurania.
Meanwhile Gitanjali had alleged threats over her life and five other witnesses while demanding security cover for all.
Also Read: CP seeks strict conditions on gangster Raja Acharya’s bail
Actresses Leslie Tripathy and Bidusmita also had apprehended threat to their lives if Raja comes out of jail.
It may be mentioned that Raja was able to get bail from the apex court on March 10. He was accused of murdering Biranchi Das on April 13, 2008 over his one sided love affair with Leslie.
The same year, Badagada police, where the murder case was registered, arrested Raja from Goa. Later, in 2011, the District and Sessions Court here convicted Raja in the case and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
“Foreseeing threat to my life, I had absconded. I have always cooperated in the investigation process. I am not guilty of any crime and I am not associated with any criminals. What Timan has said I don’t know; bur the allegations levelled against me are totally false. I felt I needed to surrender; hence I took the decision,” said Khirod Mishra at the Sadar Police Station.
Police has arrested eight other members of the gang against whom it had earlier issued warrants and declared them as absconders.
“Khirod Mishra has come to the Sadar Police station. We are verifying the documents after which a decision will be taken. Even though he is out on bail, it does not mean that investigation will stop. We will continue our investigation and interrogate him in connection with various cases registered against him," said Bolangir SP Ashish Kumar Singh.
Sulesh Sahu alias Sola was formally arrested today by commissionerate police for possession of illegal firearms after being detained and grilled for hours on Sunday over his alleged links with the criminal siblings.
"We had specific information that he (Sahu) was involved in many anti-social activities and he had weapons. Yesterday one special team had raided his house. We have seized one 9 mm pistol, seven rounds of magazine, one single barrel handmade pistol, one double barrel handmade pistol and four rounds of 8mm live ammunition from his possession," Cuttack DCP Sanjeev Arora told media.
A team of commissionerate police raided Sola’s house at Telisahi Ranihata on Sunday and seized the illegal arms.
Police said Sola had won several tenders of the water resources department, the roads and buildings department and Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) with the help of the Dhalasamanta siblings.
Sola had managed to build a good rapport with the Dhalasamanta brothers and was working as a private contractor under the patronage of the two gangster brothers.
Police also raided the residence of Bholanath Bhagat of Badambadi for his alleged links with the criminal siblings. Sources said several important documents of a commercial entity floated by the Dhalsamant were seized from Bhola’s house.
According to police, Bhola was looking after the financial affairs of the Dhalsamant brothers and had been on the run since the siblings were arrested.
Meanwhile, police will move the Cuttack SDJM court today seeking fresh remand of the criminal duo for interrogation about Omm and Dipu murder.
Saraj Sandhu, who is being chased by the state police, not only admitted to killing Hindu Sangharsh Sena leader Vipan Sharma, but even suggested that the "killing should not be linked to religion".
Police sources told IANS on Monday that the social media post of Sandhu, who has been on the run since the killing on October 30, along with three other accused, was being investigated.
"We are verifying whether the gangster has uploaded the post or someone else has done it for him. He must be in touch with some people," the police source said.
In his post, Sandhu has justified Sharma's killing. He claimed it was carried out to seek revenge. Sharma was involved in a conspiracy to kill Sandhu's friend's father.
The Punjab Police had, last week, arrested Sukhraj Kaur, Sandhu's mother, from her home in Sultanwind near Amritsar on charges of harbouring her son and other criminals.
Sandhu was clearly seen pumping seven bullets into Sharma in a CCTV footage. Another accomplice of Sandhu, who also fired at Sharma, had his face covered.
Sharma was killed in broad daylight on October 30. Since both killers were wearing turbans and bearded, the police was working on the angle of Sharma being targeted by Sikh radicals.
In the past two years, a few Hindu leaders have been targeted by pro-Khalistan elements trying to re-emerge in Punjab.
Sharma was the district president of Hindu Sangharsh Sena in Amritsar. He was shot dead in the Bharat Nagar area near Batala Road.
At least four assailants were involved in the attack, the police said later.
The state Police last week busted a terror module operating in Punjab which was being linked to the killing of Hindu leaders in the state.
Five members of the module have also been arrested and weapons recovered from them.
Further investigations were on and more arrests were expected. The terror module is being linked to pro-Khalistan elements based in Britain, Italy and Canada.
"He's gone full gangster," Politico news quoted Rubio as saying on Wednesday.
The Florida Senator added that the Saudi royal was "reckless, ruthless" and "increasingly willing to test the limits of what he can get away with".
Rubio's remark came during retired General John Abizaid's nomination hearing on Wednesday to be the Trump administration's first ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi list of offences, Rubio and other lawmakers noted during the hearing, include the killing of civilians in the US-supported conflict in Yemen, the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, the alleged torture of an American citizen and the detention of women's rights activists.
The ambassadorial nominee however, stressed that the US relationship with the Saudis was bigger than the Crown Prince, and that the best way to change conditions in the Arab kingdom was through engagement.
"It is in our interest to make sure that the relationship is sound," Abizaid said.
Since taking office, Trump hasn't had an ambassador in Riyadh. He announced he would nominate Abizaid in November, after the Khashoggi killing drew outrage in Washington.
On being asked about the recent social media attack by Kangana's sister Rangoli Chandel, Bhatt told reporters, "...she (Kangana) is a 'bachchi', started her journey with us. Just because her relative (sister Rangoli) is attacking me, I won't comment."
"Our upbringing and culture teach us that we should not raise a finger on our children. So saying anything against our children won't be possible. My upbringing stops me to do so," the veteran filmmaker added.
Bhatt was talking to media persons at the screening of the film "Yours Truly", which is also his acting debut.
"Till I die, I will never ever say anything against our child because it is against my upbringing, it is against my nature," he maintained.
His comments came after Rangoli attacked him and his wife Soni Razdan earlier this month.
"...but later when she went for 'Woh Lamhe' preview to a theatre, he threw chappal at her, he didn't allow her to see her own film, she cried whole night .... and she was just 19 years old (sic)," she had tweeted.
Rangoli also attacked Bhatt's wife and their superstar daughter Alia Bhatt and called them "non Indian".
In an earlier interaction with media, Kangana had termed media's comparison of her performance with Alia's "Gully Boy" an "embarrassment".
"Media have taken filmy kids love too far. Stop pampering mediocre work or else bar will never be raised," the "Manikarnika" actress had said.
Kangana started her journey in Bollywood in 2006 with the film "Gangster", which was produced by Mahesh Bhatt. Kangana also bagged the best debutant award for her performance in the movie.
"It's my third outing with John and I'm super excited to work with Emraan. I have always wanted to work with him and I am back to my base of film making -- gangster dramas and all I can say is...It's good to be home," Gupta said in a statement.
The director has previously worked with John in films like "Shootout At Wadala" and "Zinda".
Other details related to the film are still under wraps.
The yet-untitled epic gangster saga is produced by Gupta's White Feather Films and Bhushan Kumar's T-Series.