In a major crackdown on organized crime in the state capital, Mancheswar Police have arrested a land mafia kingpin Tarun Kanta Mohanty, alias “Tarua,” following allegations of land grabbing, violent assault, and a Rs 10 lakh extortion demand.
The case centers around a plot of land located near National Highway 16 in Pandara Mouza. According to police reports, Tarua and his associates had forcibly encroached upon the surrounding properties and obstructed the primary access route to the victims land by erecting a heavy iron gate and a brick boundary wall. The victim had previously lodged a complaint with the Manchheshwar Police regarding this illegal blockage.
The conflict took a dangerous turn on September 26, when Tarua illegally trespassed onto the victims property, cut down a mature tree, and sold the timber.
When the landowner arrived at the spot to object, Tarua demanded Rs 10 lakh as extortion money merely to restore access to the property. He issued a grim threat, stating that if the money was not paid, he would murder the owner and bury his body on the same land.
Within moments, Tarua was joined by his son, Nalinikanta alias “Gudu,” his brother, Panchanan alias “Panchu,” and their private security guard. The group hurled verbal abuse at the victim before striking him with an iron rod. The assailants fled the scene when the injured victim collapsed to the ground and screamed for help, alarming local residents who rushed toward the spot.
Investigators revealed that the family trio ”father, son, and brother operates an organized criminal enterprise in the region. Their modus operandi involves illegally occupying land, creating artificial roadblocks, terrorizing local property owners, and demanding massive extortion payments.
Criminal background checks confirm that Tarua is a habitual offender with at least 14 serious cases registered against him across multiple police stations. His rap sheet includes charges for:
- Attempted murder
- Violations under the Explosives Act
- Violations under the Arms Act
- Extortion and criminal intimidation
- Fraud and land cheating
- Offenses under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act
Police have booked the accused under relevant sections of the law and are conducting further raids to apprehend his fleeing accomplices.
