In a significant development, the Nayapalli Police have cracked a six-year-old house-breaking and robbery case that occurred in November 2019 at IRC Village, Bhubaneswar.
Two accused, including the alleged mastermind, were arrested on March 15, 2026, following a sustained investigation and raids.
The incident dates back to November 17, 2019, when two unknown persons illegally entered the residence of complainant Rabindra Nath Mishra in N-5, IRC Village, under Nayapalli Police Station limits. They assaulted the victim with a sharp weapon, causing three injuries (as confirmed by medical examination at Capital Hospital), and looted gold ornaments weighing approximately 90 grams, Rs 2,000 in cash, and one mobile phone.
The case was initially registered under Sections 454/394 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and later expanded to include Sections 120(B) (criminal conspiracy) and 34 (common intention).
Investigations revealed a personal dispute between the complainant and accused Sanjaya Kumar Hati (56), son of Late Lambodar Hati, resident of Badada village under Suliapada PS in Mayurbhanj district, but currently at Kalinga Vihar, LIG-K-4, Plot No. 1356, Tamando PS, Bhubaneswar. Hati, who has a prior criminal record involving multiple cases at Kandarpur, Patkura, Raikia, and Suliapada police stations, allegedly orchestrated the crime due to a money-related grudge.
Acting on reliable information, police conducted raids today. They first arrested Debendra Choudhary alias Lipu (43), son of Nityanand Choudhary, from Rameswarpur village under Nemala PS in Cuttack district. During interrogation, Lipu confessed that Hati had given him a contract (supari) to carry out the robbery and even showed him the house location using his vehicle. Lipu further revealed recruiting accomplices — Santosh Mallick from Pattamundai, Kendrapara, and Deepak Sutar from Fatepur, Nemala — to execute the plan. The group entered the house, assaulted the victim, looted valuables, and divided the spoils among themselves. Lipu admitted receiving Rs 4,000 as commission.
In a subsequent raid, police arrested Sanjaya Kumar Hati from his residence. He confessed to conspiring with Lipu over the financial dispute and masterminding the crime.
From Hati’s possession, police recovered one pair of the victim’s gold earrings. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining accomplices.
Both accused were produced in court today and remanded accordingly. Further investigation into the case continues.
Police officials praised the team’s persistence in solving this old case, highlighting how prior enmity and conspiracy led to the violent home invasion.
