Bhubaneswar: A team of the crime branch's Special Task Force (STF) left for Calcutta on Sunday to obtain information regarding gangster Syed Usman Ali alias Tito's alleged links and properties in that city.

The gangster was arrested after being injured in an encounter with police in Jajpur on June 30.

Sources said a land worth Rs 1.5 crore had been bought in the name of his wife in Calcutta recently.

"We have also found bank transactions worth 66 lakh from Tito's wife's account to his account recently. We are further investigating the purpose behind the sudden transaction of such a huge amount," said an official of the crime branch.

The police said the gangster would be produced before a court in Kendrapara on Monday after his five-day remand period came to an end on Sunday.

Tito has developed a business empire and has invested huge amounts in various sectors, such as stevedoring and transport, said the police.

"During our raids on his house and those of his aides on Saturday, we found several documents revealing his vast business empire," said a police officer.

"He was also running two petrol pumps in Kendrapara and Paradip, while investing huge amounts in his infrastructure company," he said.

In the course of the raids, the police had seized 17 tippers, a trailer and eight excavators from the infrastructure company.

The police have also sealed the filling stations and raided a garment shop owned by Tito's brother as welll as a motorcycle showroom in Kendrapara district.

The police said they were trying to trace the source of the money invested by Tito and his associates in various sectors.

"We suspect that he ran hawala trade and invested in other sectors as well. We are also trying to trace his bank accounts," said a police officer.

The police said Tito was involved in around 40 criminal cases, including murder and attempt to murder, in various police station areas in Cuttack, Jajpur, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur districts. The cops are also trying to nab his associates.

Firemen to strike

Firemen under banner of Fire Services Employees' Association on Sunday announced an indefinite strike from July 10 demanding equal pay and allowances as police.

A member of the association said they would come to office but not attend any emergency calls during this time. The association has also intimated the matter to the state home department.