Two imposters held for duping sarpanch and lawyers in Malkangiri

Police have arrested two individuals on the charges of duping people in Malkangiri district by posing as lawyers and police officials from Bhubaneswar.

The case traces back to January 2024, when the accused allegedly cheated around Rs 18,000 from  Chalanguda Sarpanch by impersonating as Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) from Malkangiri. 

Similarly, the duo had allegedly defrauded two advocates- Rajesh Patnaik and Gopal Rao of Rs 10,000 each by falsely presenting themselves as High Court lawyers in the month of July this year. A formal complaint was subsequently filed at the Malkangiri police station by the victims.

Based on the complaints, Malkangiri police had launched a probe and nabbed both the accused who have been identified as Kartik Rautaray and Ekan Pani in Soroda village in Nayagarh district. 

Following detailed questioning, it  has been learnt that the duo used to cheat people after collecting their mobile phone numbers. They used to demand money either by threatening or seeking assistance by posing as a colleague from their own profession.

Also Read: My wife detained in Khandagiri Vaikunth Dham ashram: Keonjhar man 

Police officials are continuing their probe to ascertain their involvement in other cheating cases in other parts of the state.

On November 24, Nuapada police arrested three miscreants including one from Chhattisgarh for allegedly looting a rented SUV in Muribahal area. Several police uniforms, seven mobile phones, bank passbooks and ATM cards were seized from their possession.