Koraput: Police have arrested a special class contractor for his alleged involvement in tender fixing in Jeypore.

The contractor is identified as Kali Prasad Mishra, a resident of Purunagada area in Jeypore town police limits.

"There have been allegations against him for being involved in fixing tenders of the rural development department. So, we were keeping tabs on him. He was arrested from his home on Thursday night," said Koraput police superintendent Kanwar Vishal Singh.

The police said online tenders had been floated to build 109 roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana for 14 blocks involving several crores of rupees and the last date of filing the tender papers was March 26. But, Mishra had fixed the works for some specific contractors and others were asked not to take part in the tender process.

"Mishra had held meetings with the contractors at his home to finalise the works," said investigating officer Siba Sahu.

The police said the accused had been booked under sections 386 (extortion by putting a person in fear of death or grievous hurt), 387 (putting person in fear of death or of grievous hurt, in order to commit extortion), 294 (obscene acts and songs), 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code.

"After producing the accused in court, he was forwarded to jail. Investigation is on and, if required, we may seek his remand from the court for further interrogation," said Sahu. "If some others name surfaces during the course of our investigation, more arrests may be made."

The police said their drive against persons involved in tender fixing would be intensified in coming days.

"Special teams have been formed at the district level to keep tabs on the suspects involved in tender fixing, and raids will be conducted," Singh said.