Supari Killing Bid Behind Bomb Attack On Ex-Councillor In Rourkela

Rourkela: Police on Friday detained three persons, including a reputed businessman, in connection with the bomb attack on former councillor Asesh Mohanty in the Steel City the previous night.

Earlier in the day, a bomb disposal squad had executed controlled detonation of one of the live bomb hurled on the former councillor Asesh Mohanty while he was returning home in a two-wheeler from his office around 9 pm.

The incident took place near Basanti Colony at Uditnagar here. The miscreants resorted to blank firing after he fell off the vehicle and fled the spot, sources said.

Mohanty, who sustained critical injuries in the attack, was immediately rushed to Ispat General Hospital (IGH).

Briefing mediapersons, SP K Shiva Subramani said, “Bottle bomb, which is a low-improvised explosive device, was used in the attack.”

The three suspects were apprehended after preliminary investigation, he said, attributing the attack to a possible personal rivalry. 

According to sources, the businessman was the mastermind behind the attack and had reportedly given a contract of Rs 20 lakh to the other two suspects to eliminate Mohanty.

In 2010, the former councillor had a close shave after being attacked in a similar fashion over business enmity.

A few years back, he was arrested by the Crime Branch for his alleged links with dreaded gangsters Sushil Dhal Samant and Sushant Dhal Samant.