Police said they have finally identified the alleged conduit who used to extort money from the people said to be involved in illegal stone quarrying and sand mining in Rohtas district, around 165km southwest of Patna.

The name of one Kamlesh Kumar Singh came to the fore during interrogation of an alleged kingpin,Anil Choudhary a.k.a. Chhotu Choudhary, who was arrested on August 29 this year.

Chhotu, 30, a resident of Basantpur village in Rohtas district, reportedly told the interrogators that he came in contact with Kamlesh in February this year when he had gone to meet another sand mafiosi Mohammad Wakib of Nasariganj.

Kamlesh, who claimed to have close connections with top police officials of Shahabad region, promised to help Chhotu in the business.

'I immediately provided Rs 1.2 lakh to him (Kamlesh) as he had demanded money to deal with senior police officials,' an investigating officer quoted Chhotu as saying.

Subsequently, Chhotu, who was in the business for the past two years, provided Rs 3.6 lakh in three separate instalments. However, he got suspicious when his vehicles carrying sand were intercepted by the police and a hefty fine was imposed.

Chhotu alleged that Kamlesh, who frequently visited the official residence of a top police officer, duped him. Kamlesh also allegedly threatened him with dire consequences when Chhotu asked him to return the money.

Chhotu also disclosed the names of his associates - Munna Kumar alias Sunil Choudhary, Shankar Choudhary, Daroga Choudhary, Amarjeet Choudhary, Dhanji Singh and others.

On August 17, when Chhotu along with his associates had gone to Khanda village, a team of police and administrative officials conducted a raid and arrested Ravi Kumar and Sunil Kumar, both residents of Bahrar village. However, other associates managed to escape. Chhotu was earlier arrested from Dalmianagar police station area in Rohtas district for being involved in illegal sand mining.

Another illegal mining mafia leader, Shailesh Kumar, who was arrested by Dehri town police on August 6, revealed to the police that 23 of his trucks and other vehicles were engaged in sand mining and transportation in Rohtas district. Shailesh also admitted that he used to provide Rs 60,000 per month to the alleged conduit Kamlesh and a few police officials.

Acting station house officer (SHO) of Sasaram Mufassil police station Mukesh Srivastava said an FIR had been lodged in this connection on the statement of a police official Dilshad Hussain. The accused have been booked under various IPC sections. 'Raids are under way to nab the accused,' Srivastava told The Telegraph.

Inspector-general (Patna zone) Nayyar Hasnain Khan has already issued directives to the police in Rohtas and Kaimur districts to tighten their noose around stone quarrying and sand mining. 'Stern action will be initiated against the police officials if found to be lax,' he added.