Web journalist booked for impersonating Odisha Excise official, extorting Rs 1.02 lakh in Nuapada

A case was registered against a journalist associated with a web-based news channel at Sinapali Police Station in Nuapada district. The accused has been identified as Ranjan Kumar Mohanty, police sources said on Sunday.

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The manager of a liquor distillery unit in Gandabahali locality under Sinapali police limits lodged an FIR alleging that Ranjan and his three aides pretended to be members of the Excise Department’s flying squad from Cuttack.

Accused extorted Rs 1.02 lakh

On May 15, at around 12.40 PM, the miscreants forced entry into the distillery, conducted unauthorised filming inside the unit, and demanded Rs 5 lakh from staff under duress. Fearing consequences, the manager conceded, allegedly handing over around Rs 1.02 lakh. The group is said to have fled with the money, triggering the manager’s realisation of the fraudulent act, prompting an FIR with local police.

Police are investigating the incident, with charges filed under various Sections of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) against Ranjan and his co-accused.

Nuapada Superintendent of Police (SP) Gundala Reddy Raghavendra confirmed that another case against Ranjan is pending at Narla police station.

Attempts to reach the accused Ranjan for his response were not successful.

“They (the four accused) threatened our guard at the main gate and entered the premises. Later, they captured videos inside the unit and demanded Rs 5 lakh. After I gave them Rs 1.02 lakh, they fled from the spot,” complainant Ramesh said to mediapersons.

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“After getting a complaint that some miscreants had demanded Rs 5 lakh and took Rs 1.2 lakh from a distillery unit manager, we initiated a probe. An accused person named Ranjan Mohanty has criminal antecedents,” Nuapada SP expressed to OTV.