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Cuttack: With search operations at the properties of the notorious criminal Sushant Dhalasamanta and his brother Sushil Dhalasamanta continuing, officials of the commissionerate police (CP) probing the criminal network of the arrested duo suspect that they have links with underworld dons.  
After confiscation of a huge cache of weapons from the rented house of the Dhalasamantas at Pokhariput and their residence at CDA Sector-6, the probe is focusing on the apparently wide spread of the criminals’ evil network.  As Sushant and Sushil had spent most of their lives in Mumbai, Vishakhapatnam and Bangalore, the CP has sent teams to these cities to gather more information about the criminal activities of the two brothers there.
With the seizure of nine guns, including a carbine and four modern mousers, from the Dhalasamantas’ residence soon after their arrest Friday, police suspect the brothers were running an illegal arms racket from their house. During interrogation, police learnt that the gang the two brothers ran has members in most districts in the state. The cops are now trying to trace the who’s who of the gang across the state.
Four members of the Dhalasamantas’ gang were detained Sunday in different districts and were interrogated in police custody. Some guns were also seized from them, said police sources. The CP teams also continued raids in various places across the state.
“The arrest of the criminal siblings is a sensitive issue. A probe in underway. Now police have changed strategies and will keep a close vigil on the tender and transport mafia. Police will also keep a vigil on the activities of the criminals and track them before they commit any crime,” said DGP KB Singh.
Police also found some clues about the links of the Dhalasamanta brothers with criminals outside the state. The two brothers were allegedly involved in many abduction and murder cases earlier, said a senior police official.
Sources said Manoj Kumar Mallick alias Dipu was one of the key members of the gang against whom at least 11 cases of murder, extortion and dacoity were pending. Mallick is among the most wanted criminals sought by police. He has gone missing since December 11, 2009.
Sources said a rift had developed between the Dhalasamanta siblings and Mallick and that he was abducted and subsequently killed by them. Mallick’s father, Adayta Mallick, had lodged a complaint with Chauliaganj police and a probe was ordered. The Dhalasamanta brothers were arrested in this case.
Orissa High Court had in December last sought a report from the CP about action taken by police in the case. The CP is now trying to crack the mystery behind this case.
“We have appealed to the court for taking the criminals on remand. We will interrogate them in custody over their arms racket, their links with outside criminals and the spread of their criminal kingdom,” said twin-city police commissioner YB Khurania.
The Dhalasamanta brothers will also be grilled with the help of officials from the income tax department and Enforcement Directorate over the recovery of huge sums of cash from their houses. “We will also question the duo over allegations of tender fixing, mine operations, sand lifting and other criminal activities,” added Khurania.
The CP said police have sought statements from banks about the deposits in 22 bank accounts of the two brothers.  “We expect more surprising facts to come out as the probe progresses,” said Khurania.