Police seize four Hyva trucks, Poclain excavator at Khua Hill; investigation points to alleged organised operation.
DILLIP KUMAR PATTNAIK
KHORDHA, OCTOBER 14:- Khordha Sadar police have arrested four persons and seized four Hyva trucks carrying black stones and a Poclain excavator during a raid at Khua Hill, following allegations of illegal extraction and transportation of minor minerals without valid authorisation.
The raid was conducted on Wednesday morning after police received information about unauthorised excavation at the hill. According to police sources, a team reached the site at around 7.20 am and found a Poclain excavator allegedly being used to extract black stones and load them onto heavy vehicles.
On spotting the police, several persons reportedly fled from the site into nearby vegetation. However, the team intercepted four Hyva trucks bearing registration numbers OD-02-BK-0807, OD-02-Q-7272, OD-02-W-2908 and OD-02-AV-7517. While one truck was fully loaded with black stones, the other three were partially loaded.
The arrested persons have been identified as Simanchal Kar (36) of Chamunda village in Ganjam district, Ajit Swain (29) of Tirada village in Boudh district, Satyanarayan Mahapatra (38) of Malipada village under Jankia police station in Khordha district, and Prakash Kumar Chhotaray (36) of Durgapur village under Khordha Sadar police station limits.
Police said preliminary verification revealed that the persons detained at the spot were allegedly associated with the excavation and transportation of the mineral. The driver of one of the trucks reportedly failed to produce valid transit permits, royalty receipts, challans or other documents authorising the transportation of the material. Investigators also found no valid lease, licence or permit for excavation at the site.
The seized equipment included a Poclain excavator, Model SY210C, bearing serial number SY020CF0622D8. The vehicles and machinery were seized in the presence of independent witnesses, following completion of the necessary seizure formalities.
During the preliminary investigation, police examined the complainant and other witnesses and recorded their statements. A local enquiry was also conducted to ascertain the nature and extent of the alleged mining activity and the network involved in transporting the extracted material.
Investigators suspect that the operation may have been organised for financial gain, with the extracted black stones allegedly supplied to local markets. The police report also referred to complaints from residents regarding excavation of the hill, movement of heavy vehicles and alleged rash and negligent driving in the area.
Police are examining the possible involvement of the vehicle owners, the owner of the excavator, other drivers and persons suspected of managing the operation. The alleged role of a person identified as Prakash Rautray is also under investigation.
A case has been registered at Khordha Sadar police station vide Case No. 502, dated October 14, 2026, under Sections 329(3), 112(2), 61(2), 305(e) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), read with Section 51(1)(i) of the Odisha Minor Mineral Concession Rules, as cited in the police case.
The four accused were arrested at around 1.30 pm after completion of the requisite formalities and communication of the grounds of arrest. They were subsequently produced before the competent court, with police seeking 15 days’ judicial custody.
Further investigation is underway to establish the individual roles of the arrested persons and identify other suspected participants in the alleged operation. Police are also making efforts to trace and apprehend the remaining suspects.
The allegations are yet to be established through investigation and judicial proceedings.
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