Bhubaneswar: Four persons, claiming to be ‘sadhus’, were detained by the police in Maitri Vihar area of Bhubaneswar on Saturday on suspicion of being thieves.
Sources said that the four in saffron colour attire were demanding alms from the residents of the Maitri Vihar area identifying them as sadhus. When they refused to accept Rs 10 and demanded Rs 50 to Rs 100 from people, local residents turned suspicious and informed the police.
It was alleged that the suspects were visiting different areas and conducting recce during the daytime with a plan to commit robbery in the night.
The four were taken to Maitri Vihar police station and interrogated by the cops. Preliminary investigation by the police showed that the suspects hail from Rajasthan. Police are verifying their antecedents and trying to ascertain whether they have any criminal background.
The incident assumes significance as the state capital reported a series of robberies in residential areas, especially apartments, in the recent past. The Commissionerate Police have enhanced surveillance to curb such incidents in the city.
