In a major breakthrough, Bheden police have dismantled a five-member gang responsible for a series of dacoities in the Bargarh district, arresting the notorious Dusmant Meher and his associates.
The accused — Dusmant Meher (31) of Banjipali, Balistha Seth alias Gahadu (28), Bhuban Gardia alias Pintu (37), Jitendri Banachhor alias Dhan (30), and Tushar Bhoi (25) — were arrested and produced before the court on charges linked to violent robberies in Bheden, Deshpatharla, and Poppanga.
The gang had gained access to victims’ homes under the pretext of being tenants. On April 10, they tied up an elderly couple — Antaryami Meher (70) and Tapaswini Meher (60) — at Talaburei and looted Rs40,000, gold ornaments, and mobile phones. A similar robbery occurred on April 23 in Deshpatharla, where gold and Rs5,000 in cash were taken.
Police investigations revealed that the gang often used a dhaba run by Bhuban Gardia as their hideout. They divided the loot equally and pawned stolen gold at Bajaj Finance and Manappuram Finance in Bargarh. The gang had previously served jail time together and bonded over criminal plans post-release.
Police recovered Rs40,000 in cash, two bikes, four mobile phones, gold jewelry, and a knife. The arrests are a significant blow to organized crime in the region, and police are pursuing other possible accomplices.
