According to police sources, one of the reasons for Dey's murder could have been his in-depth coverage on the functioning of high-speed diesel pilferage and smuggling in the deep seas.
Dongri-based foreign exchange dealers who are part of the dreaded high-speed diesel mafia operating in the high seas are under the scanner of the city police, who are probing the murder of investigative reporter J Dey.
Dey was shot dead by four unidentified persons at a busy Powai area in broad daylight on Saturday afternoon. The police on Monday released a sketch of one of the assailants.
According to police sources, one of the reasons for Dey’s murder could have been his in-depth coverage on the functioning of high-speed diesel pilferage and smuggling in the deep seas.
“Something is shaping up,” said a senior police officer, hinting that the investigation is heading towards a definite lead.
The officer said that although the media has been covering the pilferage cases, Dey’s coverage was more in-depth as his informants were giving him details that have never come to light before.
Refuting the possibility of oil adulteration mafia being involved in the killing, the officer said, “The oil mixing business is very small in the city, while high-speed diesel smuggling is a multi-crore racket. Ships coming from foreign countries sell huge quantity of diesel for as low as Rs18 per litre to smugglers. This diesel is then pilfered and transferred to big barges, who take it to the dock and from there it is sold for a high price in the open market.”
The officer pointed out: “One of his recent reports stated that the foreign ships that smuggle their diesel only accept payments in dollars or the currency of their respective countries. The oil mafia operating in Indian waters gets in touch with a few Dongri-based people who deal in foreign currency,” the officer said.
This fact, according to the officer, came to light when Dey’s recent reports were scrutinised. “The high seas oil mafia is dreaded and merciless and can go to any extent to preserve its business. We are trying to identify who was providing money to the oil mafia and whether they have any role in the killing,” the officer said.
“This is a contract killing. This is a professional challenge for me. We are on the trail of the shooters and I can assure that the police won’t relax until the case is cracked,” said commissioner of police Arup Patnaik.
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