Bhubaneswar: Police arrested two women and others involved in a transport racket that led to theft of iron pellets belonging to a private company under Balimi police limits in Dhenkanal district.
According to police, the accused, Santoshi Mohanty (29) of Talcher and Rashmita Jena (37) of Jajpur, allegedly posed as owners of a transport business. Along with co-accused Sumant Kumar Sahu, and others, they convinced clients and drivers of their legitimacy.
The complainants, Gitarani Behera of Dhenkanal and Rajesh Sasmal, general manager of a logistic company lodged complaints after realising they had been duped. The accused had assured transportation of iron pellets from Rungta Mines’ Dhenkanal steel plant to Paradeep Port. However, midway at Manguli, Cuttack, they falsely claimed a roadblock and persuaded the driver to unload the materials, promising alternate arrangements.
Further investigation revealed that the accused used forged delivery challans and documents to convince the driver and the vehicle owner that the consignment had reached its destination. The fraud came to light when the intended recipient reported non-receipt of goods. Police have seized two mobile phones and fake delivery documents.
SP (Dhenkanal) Abhinav Sonkar said, “We investigated the two complaints lodged at Balimi police station. The allegation was that several people were involved in unloading the valuables of a company somewhere on the route rather than at the destination. They assured the driver and owner that their goods have been delivered at the right destination. They also provided a delivery receipt. During investigation we came to know that several people were involved in this. Two women have been arrested and produced in court. They are now in judicial custody.”