After nearly ten months of evading arrest, Subhashree Pani, a transgender individual, has been apprehended by the Commissionerate Police-Bhubaneswar in connection with a gold chain theft that occurred in July last year.
The accused, who hails from Giridih district of Jharkhand, was wanted in a case filed in the Niladri Vihar locality of Bhubaneswar. A dedicated team from the Capital Police Station successfully located and brought Subhashree back to Bhubaneswar on transit remand.
During a press briefing, Bhubaneswar DCP Jagmohan Meena revealed that Subhashree had mortgaged the stolen chain at a bank, which was later auctioned off after the loan became a non-performing asset (NPA). “We are currently working to trace and recover the stolen asset,” the DCP stated.
The DCP added that Subhashree claimed to be a transgender individual, and further investigation is underway to verify the identity and background.
In a broader context, the transgender community in Odisha has taken proactive steps toward crime prevention and social reintegration. Kajal Kinnar of All Odisha Kinnar Mahasangh highlighted their recent efforts in assisting police in a kidnapping case, resulting in the rescue of a 4-year-old boy within 72 hours.
Additionally, police arrested Lipu Nayak, a man impersonating a transgender person, for the kidnapping, and Umesh Maharana was taken into custody for abetting the suicide of transgender performer Ajit Bisoi following public humiliation during cultural performances.
On a positive note, initiatives like the Sweekruti programme in Bolangir have offered formal employment to 400–500 transgender individuals in waste management and public service roles, aiming to reduce social exclusion and promote dignity through economic empowerment.
