Burglary at Niranjan Patnaik’s residence solved, prime suspect arrested from Andhra

Bhubaneswar, Feb 13: After an extensive 19-day investigation, the Commissionerate Police on Thursday announced a breakthrough in the high-profile burglary case at the residence of senior Congress leader Niranjan Patnaik. The prime suspect, identified as Shakti Reddy alias Spider, was apprehended from Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh.

The accused was arrested on Wednesday and is being transported to Bhubaneswar on a transit remand. According to sources, police have recovered all stolen valuables from his possession. However, further details about Reddy’s background and possible accomplices have not yet been disclosed.

The burglary took place in the early hours of January 26, when the thief broke into the second floor of Patnaik’s residence in Bhubaneswar’s upscale VIP Colony. Despite the presence of security guards and heightened security across the city for Republic Day, the suspect managed to escape with gold ornaments worth ₹50 lakh and ₹2.5 lakh in cash.

Following the incident, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi assured swift action. Notably, another burglary attempt was made at Patnaik’s second residence in the same locality on January 28, where one suspect was caught scaling the boundary wall.