Ex-pantry worker arrested for train thefts; Rs 11 lakh, gold, gadgets recovered
The Government Railway Police (GRP) has arrested a former pantry car attendant in connection with thefts targeting train passengers, officials said on Saturday. The accused, Kanhu Sahu, 45, was held after his photograph matched CCTV footage linked to a theft incident.
Police said Sahu was allegedly involved in at least three theft cases on trains. Cash of Rs 4 lakh, gold ornaments, three mobile phones and a laptop, together valued at around Rs 11 lakh, were seized from him, the GRP said.
Sahu, a resident of Kulad village near Bhanjanagar in Odisha's Ganjam district, was allegedly involved in the theft of gold ornaments and a mobile phone belonging to a woman passenger from Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. The theft took place in the A1 coach of the Bhubaneswar-Bengaluru Prasanthi Express on August 28, said Santosh Kumar Bahinipati, inspector-in-charge of the GRP in Berhampur.
Bahinipati said the accused got down from the Junagarh Express at Berhampur at night and allegedly tried to flee after noticing police personnel conducting patrols 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 interrogation, police found that Sahu had worked as a pantry car employee on the Prasanthi Express several years ago. He was removed from service after his involvement in criminal cases came to light, the officer said.
Sahu was arrested by the GRP at Khurda Road last month in connection with a theft case. After being released from jail, he allegedly stole the bag of the Andhra Pradesh woman passenger while she was asleep in the train, Bahinipati said. The bag contained several gold ornaments and a mobile phone, among other valuables, he said.
Police said Sahu was found with Rs 4 lakh, which he had allegedly received after selling some of the stolen gold ornaments. His younger brother had allegedly sold the ornaments, they said. "Almost all the stolen ornaments belonging to the woman have been recovered. However, her mobile phone is yet to be traced," Bahinipati said.
Police said further investigation was under way to find out whether Sahu was involved in other theft cases. The case centres on the alleged theft from the woman passenger and the recovery of cash and valuables from the accused.- EndsWith PTI inputsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Sep 12, 2026 23:59 IST
