Odisha Crime Branch to probe into ITR Videographer’s alleged ISI link

By B.Maharana
29 Jan, Bhubaneswar
Odisha Crime Branch would probe into the Chandipur Integrated Test Range (ITR) contractual videographer Iswar Chandra Behera’s alleged link with the Pakistan intelligence agency ISI .
Considering the sensitivity of the case, the Director General of Police , Sanjeeb Marik Thursday asked the CB to take over the investigation.
Additional DG of Police, Crime Branch, BK Sharma said that a four member team rushed to Balasore to inquire the case . Crime Branch would seek the remand of accused Iswar Chandra Behera for further interrogation, he said.
The Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate court , Balasore on Wednesday had allowed the state Police for a seven days remand to inquire into Iswar Chandra Behera’s role in passing vital information of Chandipur ITR to ISI. Behera was under the surveillance of Intelligence Bureau (IB) for a long time and was arrested by Balasore police on January 23 last.
Behera was under the Judicial custody since January 23 .Though the local police Wednesday had moved to take Behera on 14 remand for further inquiry , the court allowed for seven days police custody.
Behera who hails from Kantipur village under Baisinga police limits in Mayurbhanj district ,had been working at the ITR as a contractual cameraman since 2007. He was charged for treason and criminal conspiracy. Ishwar had been allegedly passing on vital information on DRDO’s missile plans to Pakistan’s ISI.