The Puri Police launched Operation White Metal following a daring highway robbery on NH‑316 near Samjajpur Railway Over‑Bridge on November 20, 2025. Armed assailants intercepted a vehicle transporting cash, gold, and silver from Radha Krushna Jewellery and fled with the loot.
In response, the Superintendent of Police formed two Special Investigation Wings, leading to raids at multiple hideouts. Between December 1 and 2, four accused were arrested.
Investigations revealed that Tukula Tuku Nayak, a jewellery shop owner, conspired with Bapi Prasant Pradhan. They recruited three criminals, including M. Goutham from Andhra Pradesh and Subhrajit Mohanty, an MBA student from Bhubaneswar. The gang used a Skoda car (AP‑05CY‑8656) and a motorcycle to execute the robbery and escape.
The police recovered stolen property worth Rs 78.96 lakh, including:
132 g of gold ornaments (8 necklaces)
31 kg of silver ornaments
Rs 6 lakh in cash
6 mobile phones
1 pistol with 2 live rounds
Vehicles used in the crime
During interrogation, the accused confessed, confirming the conspiracy and execution of the robbery. The recovery of the loot underscores the success of Operation White Metal in curbing organised crime in Puri.
