Odisha: Youth Arrested for Demanding Extortion Money

Berhampur: A youth was arrested by the police for allegedly demanding dada batti (extortion money) from a rice mill owner.

The accused has been identified as Sankar Prasad Pradhan (43) of Lalmenta village under K.Nuagaon PS in Chikiti block of Ganjam district.

Pradhan, who is said to be a BJP leader, has threatened one E. Sapan Kumar of Nuapada village over phone repeatedly demanding extortion money.

On March 7, Pradhan went to Sapan Kumar’s Tripati Venket Rice mill and demanded Rs 10,000 Dada batti. Kumar requested him to take Rs.2000 and go.

However, the accused told Kumar that if he does not give the entire extortion money, the rice mill will be stopped and make his life miserable.

Pradhan threatened him over phone repeatedly. Hence Sapan Kumar lodged a complaint at K.Nuagaon Police station seeking legal action against Pradhan.

After the investigation, Pradhan was arrested and was forwarded to the court, informed Berhampur SP Dr. Saravana Vivek M.