Kendrapara: The Special Task Force (STF) has issued a notice to Bhuban Mohan Jena, the former trustee of Paradip Port Trust and a BJP ticket aspirant of Mahakalapada Assembly seat, February 28 regarding his involvement in case with alleged involvement of Tito.
Jena, who belongs to Union petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s camp and was instrumental in driving out veteran BJP leader Bijay Mohapatra from the BJP in order to seize control of the BJP organisation in the district, was all set to lock horns with the sitting BJD MLA of Mahakalapada, Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, in Mahakalapada.
The STF served a notice on Jena in STF case No 8 filed under Sections 386, 411, 414, 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120(B) of IPC.
Bhuban said he received a notice from DSP TK Mohanty of the STF and has been asked to appear at 10 am March 7 at the STF office in Bhubaneswar for questioning regarding STF case No 8.
The STF had registered a case (No 8/2018) dated 10.07.2018 under Sections 386, 411, 414, 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120 (b) of IPC against Tito regarding his illegal wealth amassed through organised crime, tender fixing, extortion, robbery and also by acquiring petrol pumps violating guidelines.
STF sources said Bhuban will be questioned about his involvement in helping Tito get the Sayed Brothers’ Filling Station at Badahat in Kendrapara and the ad hoc dealership of COCO in Paradip, in the name of his wife Benazir Bibi.
As a BJP leader and as someone close to Dharmendra Pradhan, Jena allegedly provided political support to Tito for getting the petrol pump.
The charge sheet in STF case No 8 consisting of 380 pages was submitted in court in December against the seven accused, including Tito alias Sayed Ushman Ali. The case is still open, and if anyone is found involved he would also be added to the list of accused, STF sources said.
When contacted, Jena said the government is frustrated as it is going to be defeated in the 2019 Assembly elections.
“I do not know what info the STF can collect from me in a case that occurred last July. I am certain that the BJD took this step in order to save the criminals in its ranks. Time will prove everything,” Bhuban said.
When asked about his involvement in helping Tito get petrol pumps in his wife’s name, Bhuban rubbished the charge, and said it is the responsibility of the state government officials to distribute petrol pumps.
As irregularities came out, the Centre ordered a CBI inquiry. The brother of Tito was in the BJD and he joined the party in the presence of the CM. Voters know all this, he added.
Around five months back, the STF had told Bhuban through Marshaghai police that he would have to face a probe. But the STF stopped the inquiry due to political pressure, said an official on condition of anonymity.
PNN