Thieves strike at Odisha school, leave amusing Dhoom-inspired message on blackboard

A burglary of school supplies recently rocked a school in Odisha. However, what has amused school staff and the police alike was the message that the thieves left behind. The thieves wrote that they were from Dhoom 4, a famous Bollywood movie. They also said that the film was coming soon.

The robbery occurred at the Indravati High school, located in the Khatiguda area of the Nabrangpur district of Odisha. Reportedly, the peon saw that the main gate was broken. He informed the headmaster about the same. On inspection, it was revealed that a printer-cum-Xerox machine, a computer and other valuable stationery were missing. The robbers left the filmy caption on a blackboard in one of the classes. They might have entered the school premises by breaking two locks. After discovering the theft, the school lodged a police complaint on Saturday morning.

In a message, the gang said it would strike again, daring the school administration and the police to catch them if possible. Many phone numbers were also mentioned on the blackboard beside their caption. These numbers were either meant to mislead the police or dare them to catch the robbers. Interestingly, one of the said phone numbers belongs to a school teacher who feigned ignorance of the number’s presence.


Based on the complaint filed by the school, the police have launched an investigation. During their probe, a police squad paid a visit to the school along with sniffer dogs and their forensics team to gather evidence.

The headmaster of the school, Sarbeswar Behera, said that they discovered the computer and the Xerox machine missing from the school’s office room. On the day of the theft, two of the school’s teachers had retired, for which the school had arranged a farewell party. The thieves also stole some of the musical instruments used in the party.