6 arrested for ‘film-inspired’ heist in retd doctor’s home

Kendrapada: Police in Kendrapada district arrested six individuals, including a 20-year-old engineering student, on Wednesday for posing as vigilance officers and looting the home of a retired physician, reminiscent of the Hindi film ‘Special 26'. Police said that on July 10, the gang, inspired by the 1987 Opera House heist in Mumbai depicted in the Akshay Kumar-starrer, executed their meticulous plan at the residence of Jalil Ahmad Khan, 80, a retired doctor, in Oldhi village. The accused entered Khan's home under the guise of vigilance officers. Once inside, they confiscated the family's mobile phones and confined them to a corner while they ransacked the house. The imposters decamped with around 500 grams of gold ornaments valued at Rs 50 lakh and Rs 1.5 lakh in cash.The accused have been identified as Saraf Ali, 35, and Prafulla Behera, 43, both from Oldhi, Abhilas Nayak, 20, an engineering student from Poila village, Jakir Khan, 41, from Thakurapatana village, Abu Jafar Khan, 30, from Garapur, and Sk Raju from Ranapada village. Police recovered Rs 50,000, four mobile phones, two motorcycles, and several incriminating documents from the accused. Two more suspects remain at large, and investigations are ongoing.The breakthrough came after a dedicated police team analysed call detail records and CCTV footage, leading to the identification and arrest of the accused. "Their plan, inspired by a film, crumbled due to our methodical approach," said Ambika Prasad Das, IIC of Derabishi police station.The accused have been charged under sections 310 (dacoity) and 333 (house trespass) of the BNS. They were produced in court on Wednesday, which rejected their bail applications and remanded them in judicial custody.Khan said, "We are happy that the police arrested the criminals. Cops have assured us that they will recover all the looted items soon."