Bargarh: In a major breakthrough, Bheden police have arrested a five-member dacoity gang that had been spreading fear across Bargarh district.
Among those apprehended is the notorious criminal Dusmant Meher, who was previously involved in the Barpali bank robbery case. The gang had been linked to several recent dacoity incidents in Bheden, Deshpatharla, and Poppanga.
The accused have been identified as Dusmant Meher (31) from Banjipali village under Bheden police station limits; Balistha Seth alias Gahadu (28) from Rengalpali under Bargarh block; Bhuban Gardia alias Pintu (37); Jitendri Banachhor alias Dhan (30); and Tushar Bhoi (25), all residents of Nua Sarsara in Bargarh block. They were produced in court today and remanded to judicial custody.
According to police, the gang had posed as prospective tenants on the night of April 10 and entered the house of an elderly couple, Antaryami Meher (70) and Tapaswini Meher (60), at Talaburei Bulani on the Bheden-Kudpali road. After tying up the couple, they looted ₹40,000 in cash, 25 grams of gold ornaments, two mobile phones, and other valuables before fleeing the scene. On April 23, the same gang committed another robbery at the house of Geetanjali Singh in Deshpatharla village under Rushuda outpost limits, where they intimidated the family and stole ₹5,000 in cash and gold ornaments.
Investigations further revealed that two members of the gang were also involved in a dacoity in Poppanga under Bheden police limits. Bhuban Gardia, who had previously been arrested in the Barpali bank robbery, developed ties with other accused while in jail. After their release, Bhuban began operating a roadside dhaba, which soon became a hub for the gang’s planning. Tushar and Jitendri were regular visitors to the eatery, and over time, Balistha, an employee at the dhaba, also joined the group, forming the five-member gang responsible for the Talaburei dacoity.
Following the April 10 incident, the stolen cash of ₹40,000 was equally divided among the five, with each receiving ₹8,000. Dusmant Meher kept the gold and gave Pintu a necklace to sell, promising to divide the proceeds from the remaining ornaments later. The gold was later pawned at Bajaj Finance and Manappuram Finance in Bargarh, and the money was shared among the gang members. During interrogation, the accused also confessed to their role in the Deshpatharla robbery.
Police have recovered ₹40,000 in cash, two motorcycles, four mobile phones, a gold necklace, and a knife used in the crime. The arrests mark a significant step in curbing organized robbery in the region, with further investigations underway to trace any additional accomplices or crimes linked to the gang.
