Bhubaneswar: The war of words between former DGP Sanjeev Marik and former IG and politician Anadi Sahu intensified on Sunday following the former's statement alleging Sahu is acting at the behest of people who want to distract the attention of public.
In an interview with OTV, Marik said, “Anadi Sahu has been rendered inconsequential by political parties as well as the people. He was rejected in polls and no political party is giving him any importance. He is making such sensational and baseless allegations for cheap publicity."
Asked why Sahu is making these statements at this juncture, Marik replied, “He (Sahu) must have got more information regarding who was present at events and meetings. He wants to distract the investigation of the Commissionerate Police. If somebody takes the name of Sanjeev Marik, attention might be diverted from people involved in the case. That seems to be the intention. He might be doing this after getting some kind of encouragement or allurement.”
When asked about any personal rivalry with the former police officer, Marik stated, “Once there was a tiff between us. When I was DIG in Berhampur, he was a politician. Janaki Babu of Congress who was ‘Ram’, Anadi termed him as ‘Ravana’ and joined BJP following his defeat in the polls. During that time, there was a riot at a place under R Udayagiri police station of Gaajpati district. Some houses and a religious place were torched.Some people were arrested in this connection. During that time, Anadi came there and said the people who were arrested have not done anything. In fact, he said the people, whose houses were burnt, have set them on fire themselves and a false allegation has been made against the arrested persons. I told him the SP, who was present at the spot, has done the investigation properly and the accused have been arrested only after gathering evidence. He argued in a high pitch. I said we do not tolerate this kind of behaviour,” adding that the incident occurred somewhere around 1997-98.
When asked about the ‘smoke without fire’, Marik said, “Many times people lie. The motive is that people who are involved in the case might be trying to distract through this sensational news.”
On his alleged connections with the D-brothers and talks about receiving money form the dreaded criminals for his son’s marriage, Marik said, “Let him prove what he is saying and tell the account details of mine. I married off my son at Bhubaneswar Club and paid the amount for the function through cheque. No outsider manages the affairs at the Club. Though many respected people came to my son’s marriage reception, nobody saw the D-brothers there. Anadi, who was not invited and was not present at the function, saw the D-brothers through what could be be a special machine. I would say he (Anadi) might be seeing the D-brothers everywhere.”
Regarding his reaction following the allegations, Marik said, “I have already taken steps. In a day or two, criminal defamation and civil defamation cases will be filed at a Bhubaneswar court.”
Asked whether he knew the D-brother personally, Marik replied, “I don’t know them personally. However, I was aware that the criminal siblings existed and were involved in tender fixing. Therefore, I directed police officials many times to catch hold of them, but they could not nab them.”
Allegations regarding transfer of officials who used to try to book the D-brothers, Marik retorted, “This is completely baseless. For a transfer of an officer, I used to hold board meeting where the CP was also present.”
Mounting a fresh attack on Sanjeev Marik for his statement today, Sahu said, “He was not supposed to be the DGP of Odisha. However, he became the DGP after much lobbying. But he was unable to hold the position till the end of his tenure. Therefore, I term him as ‘Nindita Gajapati’.”
Regarding Marik’s threat to file a defamation suit against him, Anadi said, “I am ready to go to court and am not afraid of that. Let us see how much respect the court will show him.”
“Four or five years back, Marik gave protection to five dacoits, who came to Odisha from Bihar. Subsequently, he was suspended for six months. I should not tell these things. However, when he is levelling allegations against me I am saying these things. He (Marik) is a rank opportunist,” Sahu said.