Bhubaneswar, June 26: A suspected extramarital affair allegedly led to a carefully planned mobile phone theft in Bhubaneswar, with police claiming the device was targeted to destroy photographs, videos and audio recordings that could expose the relationship. Tamando police have arrested one person in connection with the case, while further investigation into the alleged conspiracy is underway.
The arrested accused has been identified as 26-year-old Lipun Behera, a native of Angul who was residing in Arisol under the Infovalley police station limits.
According to police, the complainant, Alok Jena, and Ramesh Nayak worked for the same company and were close friends. During his frequent visits to Alok's residence, Ramesh allegedly developed an intimate relationship with Alok's wife, Sandhya Jena.
Investigators said the alleged relationship was documented through chats, photographs, voice recordings and videos stored on Sandhya's mobile phone. After Alok reportedly discovered the affair, he took possession of the phone, fearing it contained evidence of the relationship.
Police alleged that Ramesh then conspired to recover the device before its contents could be used against him. To execute the plan, he allegedly hired Lipun Behera for ₹10,000, instructing him to steal the mobile phone from Alok.
On June 21, Lipun reportedly met Alok near Chhatabar Square and persuaded him to stay overnight at Hotel Taj Inn in Bhagabanpur, citing the late hour. Alok, Lipun and another friend, Balaram Das, checked into the hotel together.
The following morning, Alok discovered that his mobile phone had gone missing. Unable to trace it, he filed a complaint with Tamando police, alleging that Lipun, his wife Sandhya and Ramesh had jointly plotted the theft.
During the investigation, police found that Lipun had quietly left the hotel before dawn without informing anyone. He was subsequently detained and questioned.
According to police, Lipun confessed during interrogation that he had stolen the mobile phone at the behest of Ramesh and Sandhya. He allegedly admitted that the device contained photographs, audio recordings and intimate videos related to their relationship and that he had been asked to ensure the material was no longer accessible.
Police further claimed that after stealing the phone, Lipun couriered it to a friend in Uttar Pradesh to prevent it from being recovered. Investigators have seized the courier receipt and other relevant documents as evidence.
Lipun was produced before a local court following his arrest. Police said efforts are underway to recover the stolen mobile phone and examine the alleged involvement of the other accused in the conspiracy.
