Robbers vandalised a house, defaced the walls with vulgar graffiti, and set it on fire after looting valuables and money in Khurda district. Nobody was present in the house when the criminals ransacked the place and then set the house on fire. Businessman Abhinas Sethi and his family were away attending the wedding of a relative when the incident took place. Police strongly suspect this could be an act of revenge by one or more individuals and are looking into all possibilities, including personal vendetta and organised crime. The total value of stolen items is still being assessed, but initial estimates indicate losses exceeding Rs 2 lakh, police say. The neighbours did not get a whiff of the incident and were shocked at the combination of theft, vandalism, and arson was unprecedented, Sethi says. The police have formed a team to apprehend the criminals and have gathered evidence for thorough forensic examination. The case is being investigated by the KhurdA SP Sagarika Nath and the police are waiting for the results of the forensic examination before making any arrests.
