Bhubaneswar, Nov 13: The Commissionerate Police on Friday recovered gold jewellery weighing nearly half a kilogram in connection with the murder and robbery of 76-year-old Kunjalata Nanda in Bhubaneswar's Buddhanagar area under Laxmisagar police station limits.

The recovered valuables include 52 gold-coated playing cards and other gold ornaments, collectively estimated to be worth more than Rs 10 lakh. Police have also seized silver utensils, looted cash and a scooty allegedly connected to the crime.

According to police, the prime accused, caretaker Balaram Maharana alias Balia, had concealed the stolen valuables at the residence of his friend Sabita Sethi in Brahmagiri area of Puri district. He reportedly told her that he was leaving for work elsewhere before depositing the items at her house.

Police said Balaram confessed to murdering Kunjalata on November 3 with the intention of committing robbery. He was arrested from Vadodara nine days after the incident.

Sabita has also been arrested for allegedly assisting the accused by concealing the stolen property despite knowing about the crime. Both are being questioned by investigators.

Balaram is currently on police remand, and the Commissionerate Police is continuing its investigation to establish the full sequence of events and recover any remaining stolen valuables.

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