New Delhi: Odisha Police on Thursday arrested Manas Das, a Biju Janata Dal (BJD) worker and owner of NGO Manababad Sangathan, for his alleged involvement in a murder of a farmer, the Times of India reported.

Inspector general of police, Central Range, Narasingha Bhol told PTI that Das was arrested for his alleged involvement in the murder of a tribal, Satyabrat Naik, of Begulia area on August 6.

Though Das was not present at the scene of the crime, police claimed there was evidence indicating his involvement in the crime.

The police had earlier arrested six persons for allegedly lynching Naik for refusing to attend a meeting of Manas's NGO, the TOI report said. Following the interrogation of one of the accused, the police ascertained Manas's alleged involvement in the incident.

“We arrested Manas after coming to know about the link in the murder case. Besides, we are probing his involvement in two other criminal cases. His son has been arrested for his involvement in the recent attack on a father-son duo. Manas’s role in the attack is also being examined,” inspector general Bhol told TOI.

A case has been registered against Das under IPC sections 302 (murder), 363 (kidnapping), 364 (kidnapping to commit murder), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence), 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 34 (act done with common intention) of the IPC.

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The police also told the daily that they have received some more complaints against Das from some persons, who were earlier reluctant to raise their voice against him. The complainants were allegedly harassed by Das to lodge complaints against him.

A BJD spokesperson told the daily, “The police took action based on their investigation. Our party never promoted illegal activities.”

On August 31, members of 11 tribal organisations staged a demonstration in front of the Khurda SP office demanding the immediate arrest of Das. They alleged that his organisation is torturing, harassing and extorting innocent tribal people under the garb of fighting for their cause. They also demanded an immediate ban on the NGO.

According to PTI, many leaders of the ruling BJD are believed to be Das's disciples, who's being called a "self-styled godman". A local news report said that Das is addressed as "Guruji" by members of his organisation.

Das formed Manabavad Sangathan in 2005 and eventually joined the BJD in 2018, the local news report added.

The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress had even planned to raise the matter in the assembly. However, the police on Thursday arrested him before the Opposition could take mileage out of the situation.

BJP legislator Mohan Majhi wondered why there was such a delay in arresting Das.

In the coming days, the full picture will come to light about the involvement of ruling party members with Das, Majhi told reporters outside the assembly.

(With inputs from PTI)

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