Jharsuguda: In a major breakthrough under ‘Operation Netra’, Jharsuguda Police have busted an inter-district tyre theft racket and arrested four accused involved in the burglary of a tyre shop in Badmal.
A large quantity of stolen tyres, batteries and vehicles used in the crime have been recovered during the operation.
According to an official press release, the case was registered at Badmal Police Station on October 8, 2025, under Sections 331(4)/305 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), based on a complaint filed by Nilesh Mundra, proprietor of M/s Mundra Tyres located near Biju Patnaik Chowk in Badmal. Mundra reported that unknown miscreants had broken open the backside window of his shop during the night of October 6–7 and decamped with tyres and batteries stored inside.
Following the complaint, an investigation was launched under the direct supervision of the Superintendent of Police, Jharsuguda.
Multiple teams were formed to analyse CCTV footage from various locations across Jharsuguda town and nearby toll gates, track mobile numbers, and verify the modus operandi of known criminals from Jharsuguda and other districts.
The investigation revealed that the accused persons had surveyed the shop in advance and arrived in Jharsuguda as per a pre-planned operation on the night of the crime. They used a pick-up van and truck to execute the theft. The culprits broke open the window, stole 65 tyres and two batteries, loaded them into the vehicles, and fled through State Highway 10.
The arrested accused have been identified as Ganesh alias Ketan Sahoo (37) of Nuahata in Angul district, Md Wasim (29) of Muzaffarpur in Bihar currently residing in Angul, Chan Ali (42) of Samastipur in Bihar presently staying in Angul, and Md Rasid (43) of Begusarai in Bihar also residing in Angul.
Acting on their disclosure, police have recovered 56 new truck tyres of Apollo, JK, MRF and BKT brands, 25 used tyres of CEAT, Apollo and Bridgestone brands belonging to four-wheelers, scooters and bikes, two Exide batteries, four mobile phones, one Ashok Leyland truck, one Mahindra Bolero pick-up and a Maruti Suzuki Brezza bearing registration number OD-02-CB-9097.
Police said the operation was carried out swiftly under ‘Operation Netra’ and further investigation is underway to trace other members of the network involved in the crime. The arrested accused are being produced before court today.
