Bike Theft and Scrap Smuggling Racket Busted in Rourkela

Rourkela: In a major breakthrough, Rourkela police have busted a well-organised crime syndicate involved in a series of bike thefts and illegal iron scrap smuggling in Sundargarh district. A total of seven accused have been arrested in connection with the racket.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Animesh Bar (22), Manish Mandal (24), Mohammad Samir (20), Bishal Sahu (30), Sanjay Prasad (55), Bijay Behera (47), and Bipul Ajmera — all residents of Sundargarh. Police recovered nine stolen motorcycles, one four-wheeler, and approximately 1,690 kg of iron scrap during the operation.

According to a press release issued by the Rourkela Plant Site Police, the crime network operated by stealing motorcycles from public parking spaces — particularly near the traffic gate — during afternoon hours. The stolen bikes were then dismantled, and the parts were sold at inflated prices to illegal scrap dealers.

The racket came to light after a series of thefts were reported over the last month, all occurring around the same location. Acting on a tip-off and after thorough surveillance, the police arrested Animesh and Manish, who later confessed during interrogation. They revealed that the stolen bikes were sold to Mohammad Samir, the owner of a local garage, who would disassemble the vehicles. The dismantled parts were then handed over to scrap dealers Sanjay, Bijay, Bishal, and Bipul operating in Raghunathpali and other parts of Rourkela.

Addressing the media, police officials confirmed that all seven accused have prior criminal records. Among them, Bijay Behera has 11 pending cases, Sanjay Prasad has five, and both Bishal Sahu and Manish Mandal have one case each registered against them.

The arrests were made following a series of coordinated raids based on actionable intelligence gathered over the past few weeks. The police have assured that further investigations are underway and more arrests may follow.