Bhubaneswar: A joint raid was launched by a team of Assam Police and Commissionerate Police at an apartment in Infocity area of Bhubaneswar to apprehend a fugitive allegedly involved in multi-crore financial fraud.
As per preliminary information, the raid by the joint team is in progress at Subhadra Apartment in Infocity area of the capital city following information about the presence of the accused in a flat.
Sources said the search operation was launched with the strength of a pending court warrant against the accused, identified as Sameer Patnaik. He is stated to be on the ‘most wanted’ list of Assam Police.
Patnaik, who is accused of being involved in scams and fraud-related crimes amounting to crores of rupees in Assam, had escaped the Assam police’s dragnet. He was traced in Bhubaneswar after remaining untraceable for a long time.
It may be noted that the accused had been arrested by the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Commissionerate Police earlier and recently released on bail. Following his release, Assam Police obtained warrants and stepped up efforts to apprehend him.
Acting on intelligence inputs, police teams launched a massive operation in the housing complex and attempted to enter a flat suspected to be Patnaik’s hideout. The door was found locked from the inside, with no one responding to repeated knocks. Police said they have yet to confirm who is currently residing inside the flat. Security has been tightened in and around the premises, with plainclothes teams positioned nearby.
To prevent any attempt at escape, Assam Police personnel had surrounded the apartment complex while police closely monitored entry and exit points.
While the fugitive was not present in the flat, police started questioning a woman who was found inside. Further details are awaited.