The promoter of a Bhubaneswar-based Web Channel was arrested by the Commissionerate Police from Kolkata in connection with the alleged torture and extortion of a Barbil-based businessman and his associate which rocked the State capital in August this year.
The accused has been identified as one Raghunath Sahu alias Raja, chief of the Bhubaneswar-based web channel operating out of Raghunathpur. As per reports, the police had been hunting for him since ever since the case was filed on August 28. Sources said the police busted his hideout following a protracted operation that continued for about nine days.
On August 28 (Saturday), the Commissionerate Police had arrested five persons, including a woman journalist working for the private web channel on charges of kidnapping and torturing a businessman and his associate.
The accused allegedly held the duo hostage at an isolated place in the outskirts of Bhubaneswar and demanded an extortion of Rs 10 lakh for their release.
The kidnapped duo was allegedly tortured and beaten up by the accused for two consecutive days. The duo was released only after their family members reportedly paid a ransom amount of Rs 50,000 to the abductors.
Briefing media about the arrest of the kingpin, DCP of Bhubaneswar, Uma Shankar Dash on Monday said, “A Special Squad was formed to nab the accused who is the Chief Editor and owner of the web channel in Bhubaneswar. As per the preliminary investigation, he was the mastermind behind this crime.”
“Further investigation into the case is being carried out and we can only be able to say about their modus operandi after completion of the probe,” Dash added.