Bhubaneswar self-drive rental service owner arrested for duping car owners

Police on Sunday arrested a person who was running a self-drive car rental service centre at Ghatikia in Bhubaneswar for cheating people of their money. 

The accused has been identified as Satish Maharana of Ghatikia area. While five vehicles were seized from the accused’s possession, the police are on the lookout for his associate who has been at large. 

As per reports, Satish and his associate were running a self-drive car rental service named ‘Speedo Ride’ at Ghatikia. Their modus operandi was they were collecting money from the persons they rented out vehicles but not making payments to those who engaged their vehicles. 

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One of the victims, Soumya Swagat Ray lodged a complaint against Satish and his associate. Registering a case, the police launched a probe and arrested Satish. 

Informing about the case, Zone III ACP, Tapas Pradhan said, “Soumya Swagat Ray, a resident of Mahakalpada, had registered a case on October 25, complaining he had engaged his vehicle (Maruti Ertiga) with ‘Speedo Ride’. They had a monthly agreement. When he didn’t get rent for four to five months, he asked them to return his vehicle. They even refused to do so. With no option left, he lodged a complaint with Bharatpur police station.”

“Bharatpur police station IIC and his team initiated a probe and arrested Satish. A total of five cars including the complainant’s vehicle were seized. The complaint’s vehicle was seized from Belaguntha. Though he would earn money by renting vehicles, he wouldn’t pay to the vehicle owners,” he added. 

A detailed investigation is underway.