Odisha Police crack robbery and kidnapping in 12 hours, 4 held after encounter
Synopsis
Angul District Police dismantled a Maharashtra-based robbery gang in under 12 hours — tracing the suspects via CCTV and technical surveillance, chasing them down NH-55, and cornering them in a jungle where an exchange of fire left two accused with bullet injuries. Nearly all the looted gold and silver from Balaji Gold Refineries was recovered.
Key Takeaways
Angul District Police arrested four accused from a Maharashtra -based gang within 12 hours of an armed robbery on 17 June 2026 .
The gang looted approximately 230 grams of gold , 60 grams of gold ornaments , and 700 grams of silver ornaments from Balaji Gold Refineries, Talcher .
An employee was also kidnapped at gunpoint during the robbery.
Sachin Gajge and Prakash Madne sustained bullet injuries to their legs during an exchange of fire near Chuliapur jungle .
Nearly all looted ornaments, two country-made firearms , and the getaway vehicle were recovered and seized.
Search operations are ongoing for one more absconding accused .
Angul District Police in Odisha cracked an armed robbery and kidnapping case within 12 hours of its occurrence on 17 June 2026, arresting four accused belonging to a Maharashtra-based gang. Two of the arrested sustained bullet injuries to their legs during an exchange of fire with police in the early hours of Thursday, officials said.
How the Robbery Unfolded
At approximately 6:10 pm on 17 June, Talcher Police under Angul District received information about an armed robbery at Balaji Gold Refineries, Hatatota, Talcher. According to an official police statement, armed miscreants looted approximately 230 grams of gold, 60 grams of gold ornaments, and 700 grams of silver ornaments from the premises.
The accused also kidnapped an employee at gunpoint before fleeing the scene in a white four-wheeler bearing a fake number plate. A case was registered at Talcher Police Station as Case No. 671/26.
The Manhunt: Five Teams, CCTV, and a Jungle Chase
Five special police teams were constituted under the supervision of the Superintendent of Police, Angul, to track the accused and recover the looted valuables. Investigators analysed CCTV footage from multiple locations and deployed technical surveillance to generate leads.
The suspect vehicle was subsequently traced and spotted on NH-55 heading towards Sambalpur. All police stations in Angul District were simultaneously alerted, and intensive naka checking was conducted at strategic locations along the route.
Encounter at Chuliapur Jungle
The accused reportedly abandoned their vehicle near Chuliapur jungle under Handapa Police limits and fled on foot into the forest. When police pursued them, the accused opened fire in an attempt to escape. Acting in self-defence, officers carried out controlled retaliatory firing to protect personnel.
'As a result, two accused persons, namely Sachin Gajge and Prakash Madne, residents of Maharashtra, sustained bullet injuries to their legs,' the Angul Police stated. Both were immediately disarmed and shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital for treatment. Two other accused — Rajesh Madne and Deba Prabhakar Lokhande, also residents of Maharashtra — were apprehended during the same operation.
Recoveries and Ongoing Search
According to police, nearly the entire quantity of looted gold and silver ornaments was recovered from the accused and seized. Two country-made firearms along with live ammunition were also recovered. The vehicle used in the offence was seized.
Search operations remain ongoing to apprehend one more absconding accused and to establish whether any additional associates were involved in the crime.
Point of View
CCTV-led tracking, and coordinated naka checking that compressed a 12-hour window into an arrest. What it also surfaces is a less-discussed trend: inter-state criminal networks, particularly from Maharashtra, operating in Odisha's mineral-rich and relatively under-watched districts. The use of fake number plates and a kidnapping as a diversionary tactic suggests a degree of operational planning that goes beyond opportunistic crime. Whether this gang has a longer footprint in the region is the question investigators must now answer.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was stolen in the Talcher gold refinery robbery?
Armed miscreants looted approximately 230 grams of gold, 60 grams of gold ornaments, and 700 grams of silver ornaments from Balaji Gold Refineries in Hatatota, Talcher, on 17 June 2026. An employee was also kidnapped at gunpoint during the incident.
How did Angul Police track down the accused so quickly?
Police constituted five special teams, analysed CCTV footage from multiple locations, and deployed technical surveillance to trace the suspect vehicle. The car was spotted on NH-55 heading towards Sambalpur, leading to a chase that ended at Chuliapur jungle.
Who are the four accused arrested in the Odisha robbery case?
The four arrested are Sachin Gajge, Prakash Madne, Rajesh Madne, and Deba Prabhakar Lokhande — all residents of Maharashtra. Sachin Gajge and Prakash Madne sustained bullet injuries during the encounter and are under treatment at the District Headquarters Hospital.
Was the looted gold and silver recovered?
Yes, according to police, nearly the entire amount of looted gold and silver ornaments was recovered from the accused and seized. Two country-made firearms with live ammunition and the getaway vehicle were also seized.
Is the case fully closed?
Not yet. Search operations are ongoing to apprehend one more absconding accused. Police are also investigating whether any additional associates were involved in planning or executing the robbery.
