Bhubaneswar: Another person was arrested by the Commissionerate Police in Bhubaneswar on Sunday for being part of a racket run by a blackmailer couple.
The arrested accused has been identified as Debananda Jena. He was nabbed five days after Nishikanta Patra, his wife Irani along with two of their associates – Manoranjan Pradhan and Saktikanta Harichandan – were arrested on September 12. Commissionerate Police had also seized a cheque bearing Rs 9 lakh and Rs 30,000 in cash from their possession.
Debananda is stated to be a friend of Irani Patra’s husband Nishikant, according to sources.
The accused Irani Patra along with her associates have allegedly duped many people of crores of rupees by honey trapping and blackmailing them.
Inspector-in-charge of Tamando Police Station Subhrakant Jena said that the blackmailing gang used to ask their victims to bring biryani and liquor before looting them. After robbing the victims, the gang used to party at the rented house.
Jena further said that the Commissionerate Police has sought a five-day remand of Irani Patra’s husband to ascertain more details.
Four cases have been registered so far and further investigation in connection with the cases is underway, police said.
Police sources said that the gang used to send friend requests on Facebook and used to loot them after chatting with them.
