Goons Book Cab From Bhubaneswar To Dhenkanal, Flee With Driver’s Belongings & Vehicle Midway

Dhenkanal: A Bhubaneswar-based cab driver Balram Pradhan was looted by a group of youths who booked his vehicle for a trip from the capital city to Joranda in Dhenkanal district in mid-August.

The matter came to light after Dhenkanal police arrested the miscreants involved in the crime and forwarded them to the court on Saturday.

According to Balaram, on August 13 after he got a booking from Bhubaneswar to Joranda under Gondia police limits.

He picked up three passengers as per the online booking from near AIIMS-Bhubaneswar area and left for the destination.

Midway as the passengers halted to relieve themselves, one of the three pulled out a knife and demanded the car key from the driver-cum-owner of the vehicle.

A petrified Balaram immediately handed over the key and other belongings including his mobile phone, wallet and a gold ring and pleaded them to free him.

Within seconds, the miscreants fled with the vehicle abandoning Balaram at a deserted location.

The driver managed to reach Bhubaneswar and filed a complaint with Gondia police in Dhenkanal district.

On the basis of Balaram’s complaint, Gondia police launched a search and nabbed the mastermind Rajesh Nath and one of his associates. The third person involved is still on the run, police said.