Passenger loses laptops, passport on Geetanjali Express, accused arrested

A Kolkata passenger's bag was stolen from the Geetanjali Express and recovered within 24 hours after CCTV tracking. The case led to an arrest in Rourkela and a renewed security push before the festive season.The recovery from the accused who stole valuables from a passenger on train.A routine train journey turned into a nightmare for a Kolkata passenger after his bag, packed with two laptops, a passport, bank documents and other valuables, was stolen from his berth while he was away for a few minutes. But within 24 hours, RPF and CIB teams tracked down the suspected thief and recovered almost the entire haul, including foreign currency.The incident took place on September 21 when 47-year-old Manas Dutta was travelling on the Geetanjali Express from Kolkata. He was in reserved coach A-2, berth number 23, and had left his green leather bag on the berth while he went to the toilet. When he returned, the bag was gone.The stolen bag contained Apple and HP laptops, mobile phones, a passport, PAN card, Fossil watch, 1TB hard disk, bank documents and other belongings.CCTV FOOTAGE LEADS TO ARRESTAfter Dutta reported the theft, RPF and CIB teams began scanning CCTV footage from Rourkela railway station. Investigators spotted a suspicious man carrying a green bag matching the description of the stolen one. Acting on the CCTV footage and other leads, the RPF Flying Squad and CIB team intercepted a man near the Chakradharpur side of Platform No. 1 at Rourkela station on September 22. He was identified as 39-year-old Farhan Tasir Khan.A search allegedly led to the recovery of two laptops, several mobile phones, a 1TB hard disk, pen drive, passport, PAN card, debit card, cheque book, passbook, watch and laptop charger. Currency from India, the US, Bhutan, Nepal and Malaysia was also recovered. During questioning, Khan allegedly admitted to stealing the passenger’s bag from the Geetanjali Express on September 21. The recovered belongings are being verified and identified by the complainant. The recovery of the stolen items. The RPF handed over the accused and the seized property to Rourkela GRP for further action. GRP registered Case No. 132/26 on September 22 under Section 305(c) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and launched a further investigation.Rourkela RPF ASC MK Khan said the team was alerted soon after the complaint and began monitoring suspects the following morning, leading to the arrest and recovery of the stolen belongings.He said security arrangements at railway stations and trains would be strengthened ahead of Durga Puja and Diwali, with RPF teams maintaining heightened surveillance to ensure passenger safety during the festive season.- Endswith inputs from SatyajitPublished By: Zafar ZaidiPublished On: Sep 23, 2026 07:43 IST