Cuttack temple loot case cracked, four including goldsmith arrested 

In a major breakthrough, the twin-city Commissionerate Police on Monday cracked the temple loot case at Darakhapatna under Madhupatna Police limits of Cuttack by arresting three dacoits. The goldsmith who had bought the booty from the miscreants was also arrested. 

According to the police, the Durga temple at Darakhapatna was burgled on January 28. Two other temples located at different locations were also targeted. During the investigation, the police got inputs about the gang involved in the Darakhapatna Durga temple loot case. Subsequently, a plan was drawn out and the three members of the gang were apprehended. A goldsmith was also arrested on charges of buying the stolen articles. 

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The masterminds of the gang are Seikh Piru and his son-in-law Seikh Harun, said the police adding that the 14 cases are pending against Seikh Puri at different police stations. 

The police seized stolen articles, a scooter, two mobile phones, and the articles used in the crime from their possession. 

“Three temples were burgled. During the investigation, we achieved success in the Darakhapatna temple loot case. We have arrested four persons- three burglars and one who received the booty from them. They had melted the goddess’s silver crown. Besides this molten silver, we have seized other ornaments, a scooter, and a crowbar from them,” said Cuttack ADCP, Anil Mishra.