Inter-State Idol Theft Gang Busted, 3 From UP Among 4 Arrested In Odisha’s Jajpur

Jajpur: In a major success, police busted an inter-state idol smuggling racket by arresting four of gang members, including three belonging to Uttar Pradesh, in Odisha’s Jajpur district on Friday.

A total of 31 priceless idols stolen from different temples in Jajpur district were also recovered from the gang members following raids at various locations,  Jajpur Superintendent of Police Vinit Agrawal told reporters.

A fire arm, ammunition, mobile phones, several equipment and a bike were seized from the accused persons.

Following theft of valuable idols from different temples in recent months, a special team had been formed by the police to nab the gang members. The gang members target different temples and steal idols as well as ornaments which are sold outside Odisha.

While four members of the gang were arrested after the special police team raided different places, a hunt is on to nab others involved in the racket which is spread over states including Uttar Pradesh, he said.

The arrested accused were identified as Arvind Kumar Singh, Babbar Javed, Vijay Shukla (all from UP) and Sasidhar Nayak.