Odisha cop in soup for numismatic articles’ deal for Rs 10 cr

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Malkangiri, Aug 14:

An Odisha cop’s quest to become wealthy overnight has gone awry after his expedition was busted by locals.

According to reports, Remuna police station IIC Surendra Kumar Nayak along with his three associates— Deepak Kumar Khandayatrai, Jeetendra Kumar Mohanty and SS Behera had gone to one Irma Madi’s home in Gotiguda village near Padmapur and allegedly threatened him to hand them over the antique articles such as brass and copper utensils. They had struck a deal to procure them for Rs 60, 000.

The villagers suspected that dacoits had barged into Madi’s house owing which the villagers armed with traditional weapons chased away the men having little idea that they were police personnel.

The cops ran for their lives leaving their motorcycles behind. The matter was reported to local police which initiated a probe into the incident.

Nayak had come in contact with a West Bengal based businessman who had offered him Rs 10 crore for a mythical Hanuman coin, reports said.

“The four policemen had entered into a conspiracy deal that they would procure copper coins, brass utensils of deities, Numismatic articles etc and sell them at higher prices. Later, they were transferred to other police stations but they were in contact. With the help of a middleman, they traced Irma Madi who was in possession of valuable articles,” a police official said.

Earlier, Nayak was posted as IIC of Kalimela police station and Deepak Kumar Khandayatray (SI) posted at Poteru in the district. Their other two associates are Jeetendra Kumar Mohanty (Constable) and SS Behera (Havildar) of 4^th SS Battallion.

Later, Surendra was transferred to Remuna, Deepak was transferred to Nayagarh.

An Anganwadi worker Tapati Mallick from MV-101 in Malkangiri acted as an informer for these policemen.

Malkangiri SP Mitrabhanu Mohapatra conducted an inquiry into the matter and recommended Balasore SP Niti Sekhar to transfer Nayak to district police headquarters. Other three policemen have been placed under suspension.

Interestingly, people believe that mythical Hanuman coins possess magical powers and spend huge amounts to procure them so as to change their fortunes.