BERHAMPUR, July 14: Baidyanathpur Police on Tuesday arrested a man for allegedly assaulting his cousin and threatening to extort ₹80 lakh following a family dispute over profit-sharing in a cement pole manufacturing unit.
The accused, Maniraj Sahu alias Mani of Laxmi Nagar, Ankuli, was arrested in connection with Baidyanathpur PS Case No. 362/2026 under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Police said the complainant, Saroj Kumar Sahu (32), who worked as a supervisor at the accused’s cement pole factory, alleged that Maniraj had concealed the unit’s actual profits from the landowner, his brother-in-law. After Saroj informed the landowner about the alleged irregularities, the latter reportedly stopped the factory from operating on his land, triggering a family dispute.
Enraged over the complainant’s role, the accused allegedly assaulted Saroj and threatened to recover ₹80 lakh, claiming the complainant had unlawfully earned the amount through the marketing of cement poles.
During investigation, police found prima facie evidence against the accused and seized his OnePlus Android mobile phone. He was produced before the court, while further investigation is underway.
