Robbers flee with jewellery worth Rs 1 cr in Odisha’s Khordha

A jewellery shop in Banapur town of Odisha’s Khordha district was allegedly robbed of gold and silver ornaments worth around Rs 1 crore, along with Rs 5 lakh in cash on Wednesday, with miscreants breaking into the shop through a wall during the storm and rain triggered by Cyclone Arnab. According to reports, the robbery took place at a jewellery store located in the market opposite Banapur Police Station, triggering concern as the incident occurred right in front of the police station. According to the shop owner, Niranjan Patra, the miscreants allegedly broke the lock of a mushroom warehouse situated behind the jewellery shop and then cut through a wall to gain entry into the store. Subsequently, the accused reportedly decamped with around 400 grams of gold ornaments, 15 kg of silver ornaments and Rs 5 lakh in cash. The estimated value of the stolen valuables is around Rs 1 crore. In an apparent attempt to destroy evidence and avoid identification, the miscreants allegedly cut the wires connected to the CCTV cameras and took away the hard disk containing the surveillance footage. “My house owner called me and informed me that a portion of the rear wall had been cut. He asked me to go to the police station and file a complaint. I went to the police station and narrated the incident to the officer-in-charge, who said he would send someone with me. When I returned to open my shop, I noticed that some items were missing, including toe rings,” said Niranjan Patra, the jewellery shop owner. The shop owner suspects that the robbers took advantage of the storm and heavy rainfall associated with Cyclone Arnab to carry out the crime. Following the incident, Banapur police and a scientific team reached the spot and launched an investigation. Officials are examining the circumstances surrounding the robbery and gathering evidence to identify those involved.