Inter-state bike lifting racket busted in Odisha’s Gajapti, 19 bikes seized

In a major breakthrough, Paralakhemundi police busted an inter-state bike theft racket and seized 19 bikes including 18 from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh on Sunday. The police have also arrested one person in connection with the case.

According to sources, the accused has been identified as Raghu Pradhan, a resident of Palasa area in Andhra Pradesh. He and his associates used to steal the bikes in his State and keep them in Odisha by affixing local registration plates.

The seized bikes comprise seven Royal Enfield Bullets, one KTM, six Bajaj Pulsars, two TVS Apaches and three Yamaha bikes. Of the 19 bikes, one is from Odisha, sources informed.

Raghu was arrested by the police while he was cracking a deal to sell a bike in the area, sources informed, adding that, one more person is absconding in connection with the case.

Briefing media, Sunilkant Mohanty, Gajapati additional SP said, “During a patrolling on 27 September night, the police intercepted a Royal Enfield bike and after verifying the registration plate, the number was found to be of another bike.”

“Immediately, the youth was detained and during interrogation, he confessed that he theft many bikes. So far, we have recovered 19 bikes from his possession. However, he has not sold a single bike,” Mohanty added.