Cuttack: Dreaded criminals D-brothers and their aide Arif Khan were acquitted by a local court in the sensational murder case of Sheikh Farooq here in the district.

The District and Sessions Judge Court, Cuttack, acquitted D-brothers - Sushant and Sushil Dhala Samanta - and Arif Khan due to lack of evidence against them.

The Commissionerate Police had arrested D-brothers and sharpshooter Arif in killing of wholesale pulses trader of Cuttack-based Malgodown Sheikh Farooq.

Farooq was shot dead at his shop in Malgodown on November 12, 2014. The murder was allegedly plotted by D-brothers for extortion. Contract killed were hired to eliminate Farooq, who had refused to pay extortion money of Rs 30 lakh to D-brothers.