Paradip murder: Police raids OSL office, freezes bank a/c

Paradip: Six days after a lookout circular for four employees of Mahimananda Mishra-owned Odisha Stevedores Limited (OSL) was issued in connection with the murder of a private stevedoring company’s general manger here, the police on Thursday raided office of OSL here.

Sources said, simultaneous raid was also carried out at the residence of OSL’s executive director (ED) Basant Bal.

During the raid, the police has sealed bank accounts of OSL in Bank of India. Besides, the personal accounts of Bal, senior manager Debi Prasad Tripathy and operation manager Subhas Acharya have also been sealed.

Elaborating on the steps taken by the police, Subhransu Sekhar Naik, Officer In-charge, Paradip police station, said, "Five teams are undertaking raids at different places to apprehend the suspected accused."

Also read: Paradip murder: Look-out notice issued against Mahima Mishra

After the murder of Andhra Pradesh-based Seaways Shipping and Logistics company’s (SSL) manager Mahendra Swain on October 26, Swain’s family members alleged that it was a pre-planned attack on him. Since SSL was also involved in stevedoring and had bagged a contract from Jindal Steel and Powers Limited (JSPL) to which OSL had objected, OSL wanted to minimise the presence of SSL in Parradip.