Berhampur: Police Wednesday arrested two fake mediapersons on charge of assaulting an on-duty police constable over a petty issue here in Ganjam district.
The victim, Bipini Bihari Gouda, sustained grievous injuries in his head and was admitted to the local hospital. The accused were identified as truck owner Santosh Gouda and his aide Ganesh Sahu who impersonated mediapersons, sources said.
The incident was taken seriously with many policemen demanding stringent action against the accused. Police also seized a wooden plank used by the accused.
According to sources, Santosh’s vehicle, after unloading goods, was on its way to Haliapadar when Bipini intercepted the vehicle for routine check-up. On being intercepted, Santosh immediately disguised as a mediaperson and broke into an argument with Bipini and threatened him with dire consequences.
However, when questioned about the vehicle, Santosh reportedly failed to provide a satisfactory answer. Later, in a fit of rage, he along with Ganesh attacked Bipini and assaulted him on the main road. They took a wooden plank and hit him leaving him critically injured.
However, Santosh refuted the allegations and accused Bipini of extorting money from them. Meanwhile, SDPO Shantunu Dash, after preliminary investigation, found Bipini’s complaint true. He added that the two accused were impersonating themselves as mediapersons. They attacked Bipini when he asked them for their ID proofs, police said. Further investigation into the incident is on, Dash added. PNN
