Bhubaneswar: Police arrested the alleged mastermind behind the sensational robbery and double murder at a jewellery shop in Panikoili, which took place on Jan 4, 2024. The arrest was made public by authorities on Saturday.Bikash Ray, 32, was captured by a special team of Panikoili police from Motihari area near the Bihar-Nepal border late Thursday night. Bikash, a resident of Bihar, is believed to have orchestrated the heist while serving time in a Bihar jail. He was released on bail just weeks before the robbery, prompting Odisha police to intensify their search efforts.The Jan 4 incident saw an armed gang storm a jewellery showroom in Panikoili Bazar resulting in the tragic deaths of a customer and an employee. The assailants made off with gold ornaments and cash valued several lakhs.This arrest follows the earlier apprehension of Manjit Choudhary, 23, a native of Bihar residing in Uttar Pradesh, who was taken into custody in Jan this year. On the day of the robbery, two additional suspects were also arrested.
