Post News Network
Polsara, March 29: Police arrested eight persons involved in a temple theft case and produced them in a court Sunday. Police also seized 48 gm gold, Rs 10,000 and the temple donation box from their possession.
The accused were identified as Pradip Sahu of Sodaka, Pramod Sahu and Kalia Behera of Kalamba, Kabihadi alias Kabiraj Bisoyi and Tofan Bisoyi of Ranipada village and Samrat Behera of Dumduma in Bhubaneswar.
Ghanashyam Sarab of Mathatentulia and Rakesh Kumar Patra were arrested for melting stolen gold ornaments and buying them from the thieves. Earlier, Bhubaneswar police had arrested SK Anwar Hussain alias Bulu and Hasim Akhtar in connection with another case, but they were also found to be involved in the temple theft.
The thieves had stolen Rs 31,000 and 300 gm gold from the Jagannath temple at Sodaka village under Polsara police
station in Ganjam district February 15.
Police had then detained three persons including Pradip Sahu, who was found to be the mastermind behind the theft.
During interrogation Pradip admitted that he had informed Pramod about the existence of cash and gold ornaments in the temple. As they planned the loot in the temple, they involved Kalia of in the operation.
They later prepared a plan to operationalise the loot. Later, Kalia’s nephew Samrat and other miscreants Bulu and Hasim were involved in the operation.
After they looted the temple, they melted the gold ornaments at Subalaya village and sold a part of it at `9,000 at a shop in Aska. They later disposed the donation box under a bridge on Mathura-Dengapadar road and fled the scene.
