Post News Network
Puri, Jan 2: The police have failed to file chargesheet after arresting two persons, who admitted that they had stolen silver bricks from Emar Mutt here, three years back.
Silver bricks worth `Rs 90 crore were discovered from the Emar Mutt here after the arrest of the two persons, but the police probing the case have failed to file the chargesheet in the incident so far.
It is alleged that many more influential persons were involved in the theft of silver bricks from the mutt, but the police fear a thorough probe into the theft may expose more bigwigs in the murky affair.
Besides, frequent transfer of the officers investigating the incident has come in the way of the probe. So far, five investigating police officers have been transferred. Hence, the police have failed to submit the chargesheet before the court.
“The chargesheet should have been filed within four months as the case was filed as per the Supreme Court guidelines. Failing to submit chargesheet, even after three years, speaks volumes about the callousness of the police,” advocate Kalicharan Mishra opined.
“It has been a daunting task for the investigators as several influential persons have role in the incident,” he claimed.
Maheswar Sethi, a senior police officer of DSP rank, who is probing the case, said the seized silver bricks are in the reserve barracks.
When contacted, superintendent of police Ashish Singh said, “The investigation process was affected due to frequent transfer of the investigating officers. Now, a DSP rank officer has been entrusted with the case and we will submit the chargesheet to the court soon.”
Notably, two persons were arrested in Dhenkanal on charges of selling silver bricks in 2011. The accused then confessed to the crime stating that they had gained entry to the mutt through a dungeon.