Bhabanipatana: Three persons, including two journalists, were arrested for allegedly blackmailing a government official and extorting Rs 50,000 from him through intimidation, police said Monday.
The arrested journalists were identified as Dushmant Panda and Anil Panda, both from Junagada in Kalahandi district. The third accused was identified as Niranjan Satapathy alias Kalia.
According to the complaint, the accused allegedly blackmailed and threatened Saroj Khuntia, a manager at the Food Corporation of India office in Junagada, and extorted Rs 50,000 from him.
A case (379/2026) was registered at the Bhabanipatana Town police station following the complaint. Police seized the Rs 50,000 allegedly collected as extortion money, officials said.