RS candidate shrewdly used high tech strategy

Vijay Deo Jha

Ranchi

Investigation of horse trading in March 30 Rajya Sabha elections, countermanded later on, reveals that a candidate had smartly used technology and strategy to convey message and distribute money among MLAs which are mostly found in the case of seasoned techno conspirators.

As per the information available with The Pioneer two weeks before the election one such candidate had bought around 40 numbers of Mobile TeleSystems (MTS) for exclusive and one time use among the members of the core group. The number was used once or twice and destroyed soon after to deceive investigative agency like Income Tax Department and others which was kept tab on alleged horse trading. One such number ending with 06 is in switched-off mode a day after the election.

These numbers were used primarily by trusted men of that candidate who were deployed to courier money to the target MLAs. Once money reached to its destination and received it was confirmed and communicated on these selective numbers.

“Once message was communicated the SIM card was destroyed so that none could trace it. They had been boasting having one of the advanced strategies that leaves no trace of crime behind. They did not use their usual numbers known to everybody. In some cases they destroyed their mobiles too. They had been instructed not to use Short Message Service,” a person close to the candidate said.

All these numbers were purchased on the fake identity cards. Entire network of messengers and couriers were arranged and supervised by two businessmen in Ranchi whose role is being investigated by the CBI.

The said candidate in the past had even planned to start business venture in Ranchi including opening of two shopping malls one near Kutchery Chowk and another at Naga Baba Khatal. Helped by a state politician he had even placed proposal before the government. As both the places were vacated during the anti-encroachment drive following High Court’s order, he had to abandon his project. Plan for mall at Kutchery Chowk was learnt to have vehemently opposed by Ranchi BJP MLA and Assembly Speaker CP Singh who said that people should not be displaced.  The displacement issues of the Naga Baba Khatal in the wake of eviction drive poured cold water on his scheme.