Surat gang behind series of chain snatching incidents in Bhubaneswar, 4 arrested

The Commissionerate Police on Friday claimed a major breakthrough in the series of chain snatching incidents reported from different parts of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack in the past two months by nabbing four members of a criminal gang.

At a presser held at Bhubaneswar, Twin City Police Commissioner Sanjeeb Panda today informed that the criminals were members of ‘Surat gang’ that was actively involved in the gold chain snatching incidents.

The kingpin of the gang is Subhas Pradhan. Subhas, along with his associate Amit Sarangi, was operating the gang. Subhas entered the crime world initially in Surat and was involved in a murder case. The duo was subsequently released on bail in 2018 and later Subhas came to Puri and was injured in an encounter.

Later, he escaped to Surat and returned to Odisha some months back, said Panda. The members of the Surat gang were involved in multiple cases in Surat and in Odisha. The gang is involved in at least nine cases in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.

“After the chain snatching incidents, the special squad was working on the case and registered a breakthrough after detailed investigation and CCTV examinations,” said Panda.

Eight gold chains, two motorcycles, two mobile phones and other sharp weapons have been seized from the criminal gang, Panda added.