Transgender robber nabbed from Jharkhand by Odisha Police

A transgender (Kinnar) identified as Subhashree Pani has been arrested by the Commissionerate Police-Bhubaneswar following around ten months on the run. Subhashree hails from Jharkhand and was taken into custody from there by the officers from Capital Police Station, sources said on Monday.

Also Read: Naga Baba beaten black & Blue by transgenders in Bhubaneswar

In July last year, Subhashree was implicated in the theft of a gold chain in Niladri Vihar locality of Bhubaneswar. Subsequently, the accused had fled from the State. A probe team successfully arrested Subhashree in Jharkhand and brought to Bhubaneswar on a transit remand.

The accused had mortgaged the stolen gold chain at a bank to raise money, Bhubaneswar Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Jagmohan Meena stated.

“The accused (Subhashree) was nabbed from Giridih district of Jharkhand in connection with a snatching case. The accused had mortgaged the gold chain in a bank (against a loan). After it (the loan) became a non-performing asset (NPA), the bank auctioned the gold chain. We are trying to recover the asset,” the Bhubaneswar DCP said in a presser.

“The accused has claimed to be transgender. Further probe will reveal the truth,” the DCP added.

Kinnar community response

Transgender organisations demonstrated proactive crime prevention by collaborating with police authorities in a kidnapping case. Kajal Kinnar of All Odisha Kinnar Mahasangh emphasised their commitment to public safety during the rescue operation.

Recent criminal incidents

Police arrested Lipu Nayak, a man posing as transgender, for kidnapping a 4-year-old boy from the Mayurbhanj district. The All Odisha Kinnar Mahasangh assisted in rescuing the child within 72 hours. In a separate case, Umesh Maharana was arrested for abetting the suicide of transgender artiste Ajit Bisoi following public humiliation during Danda Nata performances.

Must Read: Group clash erupts between two transgender groups in Bhadrak, 10 injured

Socioeconomic initiatives

Bolangir's Sweekruti programme has engaged 400-500 transgender persons in formal employment since 2023, including waste management and public utility services. This initiative aims to reduce social exclusion through economic empowerment.