The Government Railway Police has arrested a former pantry car attendant in connection with alleged thefts targeting train passengers, recovering cash, gold ornaments, mobile phones and a laptop valued at around Rs 11 lakh, officials said on Saturday.

The accused, Kanhu Sahu, 45, was taken into custody after police matched his photograph with CCTV footage linked to a theft incident. Investigators believe he may have been involved in at least three cases of theft on trains.

Theft Allegedly Took Place On Prasanthi Express

Sahu, a resident of Kulad village near Bhanjanagar in Odisha’s Ganjam district, is accused of stealing gold ornaments and a mobile phone belonging to a woman passenger from Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.

The alleged theft took place in the A1 coach of the Bhubaneswar-Bengaluru Prasanthi Express on August 28, according to Santosh Kumar Bahinipati, inspector-in-charge of the GRP in Berhampur.

Bahinipati said Sahu had got down from the Junagarh Express at Berhampur during the night and allegedly attempted to flee after noticing GRP personnel on patrol along with Railway Protection Force personnel.

“He was caught on suspicion. When his photograph was matched with the CCTV footage, police began questioning him,” Bahinipati said.

During questioning, police found that Sahu had worked as a pantry car employee on the Prasanthi Express several years ago.

He was later removed from service after his involvement in criminal cases came to light, the officer said.

Police Link Accused To At Least Three Theft Cases

Sahu had also been arrested by the GRP at Khurda Road last month in connection with another theft case.

After his release from jail, he allegedly stole the bag of the woman passenger from Andhra Pradesh while she was asleep on the train, Bahinipati said.

The bag contained several gold ornaments, a mobile phone and other valuables.

Police said Sahu was allegedly involved in at least three theft cases on trains and further investigation was under way to determine whether he was linked to any other incidents.

Cash And Valuables Worth Around Rs 11 Lakh Recovered

The GRP said it recovered Rs 4 lakh in cash, gold ornaments, three mobile phones and a laptop from Sahu, with the total value of the seized property estimated at around Rs 11 lakh.

According to police, the Rs 4 lakh was allegedly received by Sahu after some of the stolen gold ornaments were sold.

Investigators said Sahu’s younger brother had allegedly sold the ornaments.

“Almost all the stolen ornaments belonging to the woman have been recovered. However, her mobile phone is yet to be traced,” Bahinipati said.

The investigation remains under way as police seek to determine whether Sahu was involved in additional cases of theft targeting passengers on trains.

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