NIA Team In Bhubaneswar, To Interrogate SIM Box Racket Accused Raju Mandal

Bhubaneswar: A National Investigation Agency (NIA) team arrived in the Odisha Capital on Wednesday to probe into the SIM box racket which was unearthed by Commissionerate Police during last week.

NIA is very likely to interrogate key accused Raju Mandal who is on his way back to Bhubaneswar from Ranchi along with the Special Squad of Commissionerate Police.

Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Twin City police had sought the assistance of NIA to investigate the racket which is reportedly operated by a Bangladeshi national Asadur Jaman.

The investigating agencies are ascertaining whether Asadur is the mastermind or just a handler who facilitated logistics, funds and technical support for Mandal who was arrested by Laxmi Sagar police in Bhubaneswar last week.

While Mandal’s 5-day custodial remand will end on Thursday, the Commissionerate Police will move the court for an extension, said sources.

In this case, so far, the police have raided three places in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Ranchi, and recovered 17 SIM boxes and around 1,000 SIM cards.

‘Raju Mandal Missing’, Family In Bhubaneswar

In another twist to the case, Raju Mandal’s family arrived in Bhubaneswar this morning after being informed about his arrest.

At a police station in Mandal’s native (in West Bengal), the family has filed a missing report which stated that he has remained untraceable for several months.

West Bengal police tracked Mandal’s mobile to be last used at Laxmi Sagar area of Bhubaneswar and contacted the city police.

On Wednesday, Mandal’s uncle and cousin arrived at Laxmi Sagar police station and inquired about the matter. They were accompanied by a lawyer, the police said.

Police sought details from his family members about Mandal’s finances and his movement to and from West Bengal and Bangladesh, sources added.