Niranjan Patnaik Slams Odisha Govt Over Robbery At His House; Police Vow To Nab Robber Soon

Bhubaneswar: After a daring robbery at his house in Bhubaneswar, senior Congress leader and former Minister Niranjan Patnaik lashed out at Odisha’s BJP government accusing it of failing to uphold law and order, while police stepped up probe into the incident.

In a post on his X handle, the former state Congress president expressed grave concern concern over the incident and said that he is worried about the safety and security of citizens in the state capital. The Congress heavyweight alleged that the BJP government has failed to uphold law and order leaving people vulnerable.

“This is not just about me—it is about the people of Bhubaneswar, who are left vulnerable due to the government’s failure to uphold law and order. It is time we question why our streets, homes, and lives are no longer secure,” the former Minister said.

“My appeal to Odisha police to step up to ensure the safety of our people. This must be the BJP government’s top priority!,” Patnaik added.

Meanwhile, the Commissionerate Police intensified its investigation into the robbery and expressed the home that those involved in the incident would be nabbed soon.

Speaking to reporters, Commissioner of Police S Dev Datta Singh said the crime scene has been examined thoroughly and statements of several people have also been recorded during questioning.

While the police are examining various possibilities, the robbery appeared to have been committed by experts, he said, adding that the police would thoroughly analyse every aspect of the entire incident.

Expressing the hope that the police would be able to crack the case and nab the robbers soon, the Police Commissioner said while one person could be seen in the visuals captured by CCTV, others may be involved in the incident. Everything would become clear once the miscreants are caught, he said.

Notably, a masked robber decamped with gold and cash worth Rs 50 lakh from the former minister’s residence despite CCTVs, deployment of private security guards and claims of increased police patrolling on the eve of Republic Day celebration in the upscale VIP Colony under Nayapalli police limits in Bhubaneswar in the early hours of Sunday.

The looter, who had covered his face with a cloth and was wearing gloves, was caught on CCTV cameras installed in the house.

Speaking to media on Sunday, the former OPCC president had said the robber entered the floor in which his son stays. “I live on the first floor. My son and daughter-in-law were away at Satapada when the robbery took place. His two sons returned home around 2.40 pm after having dinner at my elder brother’s house at Friend’s Colony and the younger one could sense presence of someone in the bedroom of his parents,” he said.

The robber, however, locked the room from inside and escaped by breaking the window. It is being suspected that he stayed inside the house for around an hour.