Robbery Case / Men Disguised As Naga Sadhus Rob Nabarangpur Family Of Gold, Cash

Umarkot, Sep 11: A group of four men allegedly dressed as ascetics attempted to steal gold ornaments and cash from a family in Odisha's Nabarangpur district by claiming that a ritual was needed to remove a supposed “curse” from their house, a source said.

The incident took place at the house of Haripada Mandal in Badakumari village under Umarkot block. The four suspects, who reportedly arrived in a red-coloured car, fled the spot after Haripada’s wife, Jharana Mandal, raised an alarm when she became suspicious of their activities.

According to the family, the men initially stopped outside the house in the morning and asked for water. Dressed like 'Naga Sadhus', they later entered the house and allegedly told the family that it was affected by several “Doshas”, which they claimed were responsible for repeated health problems and hardships.

Ritual Used As Pretext To Demand Gold
The suspects allegedly asked the family for a handful of uncooked rice and a plate as part of a ritual to remove the supposed curse. They then asked Haripada to place gold ornaments in the plate and demanded Rs 21,000 as “Dakshina” (Offering).

Believing their claims, Haripada initially handed over a nose ring. However, the men allegedly told him that the ritual could not be performed with such a small amount of gold and demanded more ornaments.

They allegedly asked for the gold ring Haripada was wearing and later pressured the family to hand over Jharana’s gold chain and earrings. Haripada also gave them Rs 1,500 in cash.

Jharana said the men repeatedly insisted that more gold was required for the ritual.

“Though we told them to sit outside, they came inside the home. They were semi-naked, looking like Naga Sadhus. They told us that our house was cursed and that was why we were facing repeated health issues and hardships,” she said.

“They told my husband to give Rs 21,000 and gold ornaments to initiate a special ritual to make the house curse-free. My husband told them that we did not have that much cash and gave them Rs 1,500 in cash, along with a nose ring and a ring,” she added.

Also Read: Two Passengers Robbed After ATM Withdrawals Near Bhubaneswar Railway Station

Wife Raises Alarm, Suspects Flee
Jharana said the men continued insisting on more gold and wanted her to hand over her chain and earrings. She refused and raised an alarm, following which the suspects allegedly fled from the house carrying the cash and ornaments that had been handed over to them.

Hearing her cries, some villagers chased the men. However, the four suspects managed to escape in their red car.

Umarkot police reached the spot after being informed and launched an investigation. Efforts are underway to identify and trace the four suspects.