Odisha: CBI to probe gangster Tito’s filling station biz

Bhubaneswar: In what comes across another major blow to notorious gangster Syed Usman Ali, alias Tito, the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) today recommended a CBI probe into grant of permission to the dreaded criminal for setting up petrol pumps in Kendrapara.

The State-run oil company has ordered for CBI probe following a direction from Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG). The Ministry has asked IOCL to submit a report after enquiry.

The MoPNG has come to know that a person having criminal background had got the permission to open and run retail outlets in the State.

On enquiry, the IOCL has found retail outlets in the name of Sayed Brothers filling station in Kendrapara town and Ad-hoc dealership COCO (Company Owned Company Operated outlet) at Paradip Port Trust in Jagatsighpur district were commissioned in violation of the guidelines.

As several irregularities and seriousness of issues came to fore, the IOCL has referred the matter to CBI for proper investigation and necessary action, a letter issued by the PSU satated.

Earlier in the day, the Special Task Force (STF) of the Crime Branch Tito’s four associates and henchmen, identified as Golden Papu, SK Abdulla, Imtiaz Khan and Jahangir Khan. They are among the eight detained on Tuesday from different places in Cuttack, Kendrapara and Bhubaneswar over their alleged links with the gangster.

On Sunday, the STF had arrested two of Tito’s sharpshooters – Sk Sayed and Babula pati. Both were wanted in several cases of murder and extortion.

So far more than nine persons have been arrested ever since the notorious gangster’s arrest following an encounter with STF on June 30 at Chandikhole in Jajpur district.