Police widen probe to underworld links of Dhalsamant brothers

CUTTACK: With search operations at the properties of the notorious criminal Sushant Dhalsamant and his brother Sushil Dhalsamant continuing, officials of the commissionerate police (CP) have started probing the criminal network of the arrested duo suspect that they have links with underworld dons.

After the confiscation of a huge cache of weapons from the rented house of the Dhalsamant brothers at Pokhariput and their residence at CDA Sector-6, the commissionerate police on Wednesday left for Vishakhapatnam to conduct search operations in a house where the Dhalsamant brothers were staying on rent for more information on their criminal activities.

After the police got some clue about the link with Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias ‘Raja Bhaiya’ of Uttar Pradesh, the probe is focusing on the wide spread of the criminals’ evil network.

As Sushant and Sushil had spent most of their lives in Mumbai, Vishakhapatnam and Bangalore, the CP has sent teams to these cities to gather more information about the criminal activities of the two brothers there, said a senior police official.

The Odisha police have formed a number of special teams to trace out the source and transaction of black money and arms smuggling network of the two brothers.

With the seizure of guns, including a carbine and modern mousers, from the Dhalasamantas’ residence, police suspect the brothers were running an illegal arms racket from their house.

During interrogation, police learnt that the gang the two brothers ran have members in most districts in the state. The cops are now trying to trace the who’s who of the gang across the state.

“The arrest of the criminal siblings is a sensitive issue. A probe in underway. Now police have changed strategies and will keep a close vigil on the tender and transport mafia. Police will also keep a watch on the activities of the criminals,” said DGP KB Singh.

Sources said Manoj Kumar Mallick alias Dipu was one of the key members of the gang against whom at least 11 cases of murder, extortion and dacoity were pending. Mallick is among the most wanted criminals sought by police. He has gone missing since December 11, 2009.

Sources said a rift had developed between the Dhalsamant siblings and Mallick and that he was abducted and subsequently killed by them. Mallick’s father, Aditya Mallick, had lodged a complaint with Chauliaganj police, and a probe was ordered. The Dhalasamanta brothers were arrested in this case.

Orissa High Court had in December last sought a report from the CP about the action taken by police in the case. The CP is now trying to crack the mystery behind this case.

Sources said the police have started interrogating the two brothers, who are on seven-day remand with the police, over their arms racket, their links with outside criminals and the spread of their criminal kingdom.

The Income Tax department officials have already grilled the two brothers to trace out their money trail.

Meanwhile, the IT officials on Wednesday conducted raids at the house of a chartered accountant in Cuttack.