Seven held for dacoity in Kendrapada dist

Kendrapada: Seven members of a dacoit gang were arrested on Sunday night for their alleged involvement in a dacoity at Khandiapatana village under Aul police station limits earlier this month.The accused allegedly looted gold and silver ornaments worth around Rs 10 lakh from the house of businessman Pradeep Rout on June 5 night. Police recovered the stolen ornaments, 12 mobile phones, including two stolen phones, three sharp weapons and three motorcycles from them.“We suspect their involvement in several other robbery cases in the district and adjoining areas,” said IIC of Aul police station Antrajami Srichandan.The arrested persons were identified as Bighneswar Mallick of Sukadevpur; Bhaju Tarai, Kirtan Samal, Pruthiraj Dalai and Sashikant Behera of Dhamara; and Bhanjakishor Barik and Pradeep Jena of Bansada.Police said the gang carefully planned the crime. Four of the accused played crucial roles in surveying the area, arranging logistics and directly participating in the dacoity. They reportedly arrived on motorcycles and used masks and gloves to conceal their identities.

The breakthrough in the case came after police traced the two stolen mobile phones. The accused were produced in a local court on Monday. Their bail pleas were rejected, and they were remanded to judicial custody, the police officer added.