Cuttack: Sushant Dhal Samant, the elder of the gangster siblings, and civic councillor Ranjita Biswal on Friday refused to give their voice samples to police for investigation into their alleged involvement in a firing case.
On February 23, three days after his release from Jharapada jail, Mrutyunjaya Nayak alias Miku fired at Bijay Kumar Pal at his house at Subhadrapur.
The police had registered cases against Sushant and Ranjita under Section 307 (attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code and also under relevant sections of the Arms Act at Sadar police station as abettors in the crime and brought them on remand for three days on March 13.
Assistant public prosecutor Biswajit Baral said the Court of Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC), Cuttack, on Thursday allowed the police to collect voice samples of Sushant and Ranjita for comparison with the voice call records of the alleged telephonic conversation between them in connection with the firing. But, deputy commissioner of police Akhileswar Singh on Friday said both the accused had declined to give their voice samples.
As the accused cannot be compelled to give their voice sample at the investigation stage, the suspected telephonic conversation between them will be raised at the time of trial, said a police officer.
In another development, Sushant and Ranjita were produced before the Court of JMFC, Cuttack, after their three-day remand was over on Friday and were sent back to Jharapada and Choudwar jails, respectively.
The police said investigation had so far indicated that the attempt on the life of Pal was allegedly part of a conspiracy to eliminate three contractors, who had refused to cough up extortion money to the henchmen of the Dhal Samant brothers.