Pharmacist Stripped, Filmed and Robbed of Rs 43,500, Prime Accused Arrested
Bhubaneswar: In a shocking incident, a pharmacist was allegedly robbed of Rs 43,500 after being assaulted and stripped naked, with the accused recording videos of the incident to blackmail him.
The accused, a 26-year-old man, identified as Ajit Das has been arrested by Matri Vihar police for allegedly carrying out the crime with seven to eight accomplices after approaching the victim for a motorcycle lift on October 16.
The pharmacist, who works at a leading private hospital, was returning home after completing his duty when Das allegedly sought a lift near the hospital. The victim agreed to help him, but during the journey, Das allegedly held a knife against his throat and threatened him into silence. He then forced the pharmacist to an abandoned building near Salia Sahi, where several other alleged accomplices were waiting.
Recounting the incident, the complainant alleged that he had agreed to give Das a lift but was suddenly threatened with a knife while they were travelling. He stated that Das forced him to remain silent and took him to the abandoned building, where several other people were present.
According to police, the group allegedly assaulted the pharmacist and took away his mobile phone and wallet. The accused also allegedly forced him to transfer Rs 6,000 through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). They subsequently took his debit card and personal identification number (PIN), which were allegedly used to withdraw Rs 20,000 from an automated teller machine (ATM).
The victim further alleged that Rs 17,500 kept in the underseat storage compartment of his scooter was stolen. The total amount allegedly taken through the UPI transfer, ATM withdrawal and cash theft amounted to Rs 43,500.
The complainant also stated that the accused stripped him naked and recorded videos of the ordeal. They allegedly threatened to circulate the footage on social media if he approached the police, using the recordings to intimidate him and discourage him from reporting the incident.
Following an investigation, Matri Vihar police traced and arrested Ajit Das, identified as the prime accused in the case. Efforts are continuing to apprehend the remaining suspects, who have reportedly been identified by the police.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Saravana Vivek M. confirmed the arrest. “We have arrested prime accused Ajit Das. His accomplices have been identified and raids are underway to arrest them," he told The Times of India.
