Brahmapur Police Arrest Driver in Rs.4.26 Lakh Sesame Seeds Theft Case; Rs.3 Lakh Cash, Mobile Phone Seized
Desk, Odishabarta
BERHAMPUR, July 26: In a major breakthrough, the Badabazar Police of Berhampur Police District have arrested the prime accused in the theft of three tonnes of sesame seeds worth approximately Rs.4.26 lakh. The accused, who was employed as the driver of a Mahindra Pick-Up Van, allegedly misappropriated the consignment and sold it at a lower price for personal gain.
The arrested accused has been identified as Saraba @ Brudaban Nayak (31), son of Khageswar Nayak, a resident of Balasahi village under Bansada Police Station in Bhadrak district. He was apprehended by the Badabazar Police team on July 25, 2026, at around 6:30 PM.
According to police, the case dates back to January 2, 2026, when complainant Surendra Kumar Nayak of Berhampur loaded three tonnes of sesame seeds onto a Mahindra Pick-Up Van (Registration No. OD-01-AV-4631) for delivery to Anchala Agency, Cuttack, through Lenka Transport.
The vehicle departed from Brahmapur at around 12:50 PM, but the consignment never reached its destination. Repeated attempts to contact the driver failed, prompting the registration of Badabazar Police Station Case No. 46 dated January 21, 2026, under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
During the course of the investigation, police gathered credible local intelligence that identified Saraba @ Brudaban Nayak as the prime suspect. Investigators found that the accused had previous involvement in similar offences and had been absconding to evade arrest. Acting on specific intelligence, the Badabazar Police conducted a successful operation and apprehended him.
During interrogation, the accused reportedly confessed to stealing the entire consignment and selling it to Bidyadhar Pradhan @ Manas of Ghatagaon in Keonjhar district for Rs.2.50 lakh. He further admitted to spending the sale proceeds on personal expenses.
Based on his confession and subsequent investigation, police recovered and seized the following:
Rs.3,00,000 in cash, recovered in lieu of the stolen property.
A Vivo Y28 mobile phone, which allegedly contained transaction-related chat records and other digital evidence connected to the offence.
The accused has been produced before the competent court following his arrest. Police said further investigation is in progress to ascertain whether any other persons were involved in the offence and to recover the remaining proceeds of the stolen property.
