After apartments, miscreants target private hostel in Bhubaneswar; valuables worth lakhs looted

After targeting apartments, burglars targeted a private hostel in the Khandagiri area of Bhubaneswar in the early hours of March 30. Unidentified miscreants allegedly broke into the hostel and looted expensive gadgets, including laptops, cameras, mobile phones, and MacBooks, amounting to over Rs 15 lakh.

The entire incident was captured on the hostel’s CCTV cameras, providing crucial evidence for the police investigation. Based on the CCTV footage, the police have initiated a probe to identify and nab the culprits.

Rise in Apartment and Hostel Thefts in Bhubaneswar

This incident adds to a series of recent burglaries targeting apartments and hostels in the city. Several residential complexes have reported similar thefts, raising concerns about security lapses. Recently, multiple apartments in prime locations like Patia, Chandrasekharpur, and Nayapalli have fallen victim to organized lootings, where burglars managed to escape with cash, jewellery, and electronic gadgets.

Residents and hostel occupants have expressed fear and frustration over the increasing crime rate, urging authorities to enhance security measures. Many have called for better surveillance, increased patrolling, and stricter enforcement of security guidelines in residential areas.

Loots in 18 apartments in Bhubaneswar in last 6 months

Over the past six months, armed burglaries have occurred in more than 18 apartments in Bhubaneswar alone, resulting in losses exceeding Rs 38 lakh. Between September 2024 and February 2025, items valued at Rs 38.44 Lakh were stolen from Bhubaneswar apartments.

Also Read: Loots in 18 apartments in Bhubaneswar in last 6 months: Odisha Minister

Meanwhile, Cuttack reported two apartment burglaries with losses totalling Rs 10 Lakh, alongside 57 home thefts amounting to Rs 39.79 Lakh.

Former PCC President Niranjan Patnaik’s House Was Also Targeted

It is pertinent to mention here that a thief looted valuables worth over Rs 50 lakh from the residence of senior Congress leader and former PCC president Niranjan Patnaik in January this year.

Also Read: Commissionerate Police cracks former Minister Niranjan Patnaik’s residence theft, burglar arrested

Later, the Commissionerate Police arrested the accused ‘Spider Satish’ and exposed his lavish lifestyle.