High-Profile Burglary Case Collapses in Odisha Court Due to Procedural Flaws
A sensational burglary case that captured public attention in Odisha, involving the theft of valuables worth Rs 52.5 lakh from a senior Congress leader's residence, has ended in acquittal. The Judicial First Class Magistrate Court (JFMC) in Bhubaneswar acquitted the lone accused, Karri Satti Babu, popularly known as 'Spider Satti', citing significant procedural anomalies in the police investigation.
The Burglary and Initial Investigation
On January 25 last year, Nayapalli Police in Bhubaneswar registered a case based on a complaint by Devjyoti Patnaik, son of former Odisha Congress chief Niranjan Patnaik. The complaint stated that jewellery valued at Rs 50 lakh and cash amounting to Rs 2.5 lakh were stolen from the second-floor bedroom of the IRC Village residence. The theft occurred on the midnight of January 26, while the complainant and his wife were away.
The incident quickly escalated into a political controversy, with opposition parties questioning the law-and-order situation in the state. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi intervened, directing stringent action against the accused. The case became a major challenge for the police, who launched an extensive manhunt.
The 18-Day Manhunt and Arrest
With no immediate clues, police deployed multiple teams across Kerala, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh to track down the suspect. The investigation involved analyzing over 400 CCTV footage, verifying more than 10,000 mobile phones across several states, and examining over 50 suspected persons.
Karri Babu, nicknamed 'Spider Satti' for his alleged wall-climbing skills, was arrested on February 13 from his residence at Golapata under Bimilipatnam police station in Andhra Pradesh. Police claimed the arrest followed an "arduous path" and highlighted that the accused had multiple cases against him in various states. He was reportedly in a Kerala jail from July to September 2025 before disappearing after his release.
Authorities also claimed recovery of most of the stolen items and linked Babu to a similar burglary at the residence of a known construction company owner in the same locality in October 2023.
Court's Verdict and Procedural Anomalies
In a verdict pronounced on January 30, JMFC-III Bhubaneswar, Karonika Ghose, acquitted Babu, noting that the case suffered from numerous procedural anomalies. The court observed contradictions between witness statements and the non-recording of the accused's confessional statement.
Key points from the court order include:
- No eye-witnesses were present during the theft.
- The informant did not actually see the accused committing the crime.
- Other witnesses examined by the prosecution were not at the spot during the incident.
- The factum of seizure was not proved by the prosecution.
The court stated, "The present case suffers from a number of procedural anomalies and the chain of circumstances is not established which would warrant a conviction of the accused." It further noted that there was no evidence to prove the accused committed offences under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) pertaining to theft and belonging to a gang of robbers.
Implications and Aftermath
The acquittal underscores critical flaws in the investigation process, raising questions about police procedures in high-profile cases. The collapse of the case 11 months after the arrest highlights the importance of adhering to legal protocols to ensure justice.
This development may reignite political debates over law and order in Odisha, with the opposition likely to scrutinize the handling of the investigation. The case serves as a reminder of the judicial system's role in upholding due process, even in emotionally charged and widely publicized crimes.
