Picture of accused
A large-scale fraud involving crores of rupees in the mineral transportation sector has come to light, leading to the arrest of two women, including the mastermind behind the scam in Dhenkanal. The accused, identified as Santoshi Mohanty and her accomplice Rashmita Jena, have been arrested by Dhenkanal police and produced before the court on Wednesday.
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The investigation revealed that the accused allegedly operated a fraudulent scheme under the guise of a transport agency. They were responsible for transporting minerals and factory goods from private industrial units in Dhenkanal to Paradip. However, during transit, they systematically embezzled high-value materials such as iron pellets, amounting to crores of rupees.
Following multiple complaints, police launched a probe into the fraudulent activities. Two separate cases were registered at Balimi police station, where reports suggested systematic siphoning of valuable goods. As the investigation progressed, more details began emerging, indicating a well-organized scam.
Acting on credible information, the police tracked down the primary accused, Santoshi Mohanty, a resident of the Talcher region, along with her associate Rashmita Jena. Both were arrested and produced before the court, as informed by the Superintendent of Police, Abhinav Sonkar.
Authorities believe the scam might have deeper roots, with the possibility of more individuals being involved. Police are conducting further investigations to identify additional culprits and recover stolen materials. The case highlights the growing concerns of organized fraud in the mineral transportation sector and the need for stricter monitoring mechanisms to prevent such scams in the future