Odisha Police crack inter-district robbery gang; two arrested, Rs 5 lakh seized

Koraput: The Odisha Police on Monday busted an inter-district robbery gang operating across Koraput and Malkangiri districts, arresting two accused and recovering Rs 5 lakh in cash from them.

The arrested have been identified as Shantiraj Nag (19) and Abinash Maharana (28), both residents of Jeypore town in Koraput district.

Police said the duo was involved in multiple cases of theft and robbery in the region. The investigation began after a complaint was filed on April 15 by Radha Mohan Pattnaik of Hanaguda, Jeypore, alleging that miscreants had broken into his neighbour’s house and decamped with gold, silver ornaments and Rs 10,000 in cash.

Following months of investigation, police arrested Nag, who during questioning confessed to committing the theft along with Maharana. He also revealed that they had sold the stolen jewellery to a local goldsmith, K Murali, for Rs 50,000.

“During interrogation, the accused admitted their role in a major robbery in Malkangiri in June,” said Jeypore SDPO Parth Kashyap.

The seized cash has been handed over to Malkangiri district police for further investigation, officials added.

(with agency inputs)