How a Member from Odisha Orchestrated a ₹60 Lakh Loot in Chatra

The Jharkhand police have disclosed the inner workings of a large‑scale jewellery heist that struck Chatra district on July 12. The loot, estimated at 60 lakh rupees, was lifted by Deepak Pradhan, a native of Dashamania village in Jakhapur thana, Odisha, who is linked to the cross‑border ‘Gulguliya’ gang.

Pradhan’s approach began with a façade of a genuine buyer. He visited jeweller Dilip Sony’s outlet, offered to purchase cheap gold, and thereby earned the merchant’s confidence. Over the subsequent days he kept a close watch on the shop’s inventory flow, the timing of stock movements and the security measures employed.

Armed with this intelligence, Pradhan targeted the jeweller on the day of the theft. He broke the lock on the bike used by the owner to move the jewellery on Kalali Road and made off with the precious items.

The gang’s leader, Akash Pradhan, also hails from Odisha. Under his command, foot soldiers are paid between 25,000 and 100,000 rupees monthly and undergo intensive training in Hyderabad. The sessions teach participants how to conduct surveillance, breach locks, blend into crowds and disappear without trace after a crime.

Police have widened the search to neighboring states, hoping to seize additional gang operatives and recover the stolen jewels. The investigation highlights the organized, multi‑state nature of the ‘Gulguliya’ criminal network.