Eight arrested in Nayapalli armed robbery case linked to job termination

Bhubaneswar:

Nayapalli police here on Friday blew the lid off an armed dacoity case at a company, arresting eight men, including two ex-drivers of the firm, who allegedly orchestrated the crime to avenge their termination from the job.The arrested drivers have been identified as Niranjan Nanda (32) and Ramakanta Patra (25), while their accomplices are Sagar Kumar Sahu (23), Harsha Rout (36), Bipin Behera (32), Kalu Charan Pradhan (39), Rajendra Rout (30), and Bisikesan Swain (40).According to police sources, Niranjan and Ramakanta were previously employed as drivers at the private company in the upscale Nayapalli area. They were sacked about 10 months ago due to alleged misconduct and disputes over salary issues.

“Seeking revenge for their job loss, the duo devised a plan to rob the company. During their service period, they observed substantial cash transactions within the office, which fuelled their intent to target their former workplace,” said assistant commissioner of police (ACP Zone-V) Biswa Ranjan Senapati.To execute their plan, they hired six other men, primarily from Ganjam district, and carried out the heist on the night of Oct 3.

Niranjan and Ramakanta provided detailed information to their accomplices about the office layout and the location of the strongroom where cash was stored.On the night of the crime, while Niranjan and Ramakanta remained at a distance, the others, wearing masks, sneaked into the office and held two staff members hostage at gunpoint. The assailants assaulted the staff and ransacked the premises in search of cash and valuables.

“Contrary to their expectations of finding at least Rs 1 crore in cash, the perpetrators discovered only Rs 2.5 lakh and a laptop in a cupboard,” Senapati said.Police cracked the case by analysing CCTV footage and phone call records of Niranjan and Ramakanta, who were primary suspects from the beginning of the investigation due to their unceremonious ouster from the company. Police recovered Rs 70,000 in cash and a toy gun used by the accused to intimidate the company staff. A rented car used in the commission of the crime has also been seized.