Skill Development and Technical Education Minister Usha Devi’s handbag was allegedly stolen from train while she was travelling by the Puri-Durg Express on Friday.
Reports said the incident took place when she was on her way to Kantabanjhi from Bhubaneswar by the train.
The handbag contained a mobile phone and cash of Rs 25,000, the reports added. It was suspected that one or more miscreants stole the bag between the Rairakhol and Angul railway stations.
Police have started investigation into the incident after the Minister lodged a complaint with the Titlagarh Government Railway Police (GRP).
Titlagarh GRP Inspector-in-Charge Mohan Nayak informed that cash, a mobile phone and the ID card of the Minister have been stolen. Probe into the matter is on, he said.