Bhubaneswar: In the wake of a robbery at the house of senior Congress leader Niranjan Patnaik in Bhubaneswar, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi spoke to him and promised a thorough an impartial probe into the act in order to nab the robber.
The Chief Minister told reporters that he has spoken to the former state Congress president and ex-Minister after he learnt about the incident.
Majhi said he has directed Director General of Police (DGP) Y B Khurania and Commissioner of Police, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack S Dev Datta Singh to carry out an impartial probe into the robbery at Patnaik’s house. He also assured that the perpetrator, whoever he may be, will be arrested soon and face stringent action.
The CM’s reaction came after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state came under attack from opposition parties over the daring robbery. They alleged that law and order situation in the state has deteriorated ever since BJP formed the government and.
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.
Voicing concern over the incident, Patnaik said that he is worried about the safety and security of citizens in the state capital. In a post on X handle, 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.
