Damodar Rout ‘ring leader’ of crime syndicate in Paradip: Bibhu Tarai

Bhubaneswar: At a time when political mudsling is already on over gangster Tito links, senior Congress leader Bibhu Prasad Tarai today spewed venom against senior BJD leader Damodar Rout and own party leader Bapi Sarkhel.

Accusing Rout of shielding persons with criminal background, Tarai demanded for a High Court-monitored special investigation team probe.

“Damodar Rout is the ring master of the entire crime syndicate in Paradip. He (Rout) has created many criminals. Bapi Sarkhel before joining Congress was with Damodar Rout,” said Tarai.

Addressing a presser in Bhubaneswar, Tarai today stated that Bapi Sarkhel in several interviews to media had claimed that Damodar Rout was his political guru.

Responding to such allegations, Rout stated “People of the constituency very well know what Bibhu Tarai is. Bapi Sarkhel is from Congress and why Bibhu Tarai did not oppose when he contested in the last election? If all of them know so much, they should knock the doors of Supreme Court.”

Bapi Sarkhel on the other hand said, “They are noted political brokers in Paradip. I do not want to comment on the persons as they do not have their own voice. I will certainly raise these issues before the party.”