Odishatv Bureau

Cuttack: Intensifying its investigation into the collection of extortion money from private buses at Badambadi bus stand by Bhuan alias Pramod Patra, one of the closest associates of Dhalasamant brothers, the commissionerate police on Sunday grilled Ajay Barik, secretary of Cuttack Private Bus Owners’ Association and deputy mayor of Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC).

Reliable sources said the police, during interrogation, have got vital information about Bhuan’s mode of collection of extortion money and the amount collected by him so far.

“I have provided all information to the police,” Barik told OTV.

According to police, Bhuan was collecting extortion money from about 7000 buses including 230 buses of the Cuttack Private Bus Owners’ Association and some inter-state buses from Badambadi bus stand every day.

Meanwhile, with two Private Bus Owners’ Associations from Bhubaneswar lodging complaint against Bhuan at Badambadi Police Station yesterday, the Cuttack Private Bus Owners’ Association has also decided to lodge similar complaint with the police, the sources added.

After his arrest, the commissionerate police has so far registered four cases against Bhuan who is now lodged in Choudwar Circle Jail.

Notably, Bhuan was arrested and sent to Choudwar Circle Jail on February 21 on the basis of information received from the CDs which were seized from D-brothers’ house. Police also found his involvement in a number of murder and extortion cases pending in Chauliaganj police station in the city.

Besides, police had raided his house at Shankarpur area and seized cash worth Rs 76,20,000.

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