Bhubaneswar, June 19: A 28-year-old civil supplies inspector was allegedly drugged and robbed of his belongings, including a gold chain and ring, near Vani Vihar Square last evening.

The victim, identified as Mithun Behera, was later rescued by a police control room (PCR) van and admitted to Capital Hospital here.

Behera, a resident of Kandhamal district who works in Kalahandi at present, alleged that he was drugged through an aerated drink.

"I reached Baramunda bus stand yesterday morning and visited my friend's house. After that, I went shopping. Later, I went to Vani Vihar Square to get a bus ticket to return to Bhawanipatna. I met a youth there and he became friendly with me. He offered me a cold drink and after I consumed it, I lost consciousness. Later, officers of the PCR found me near a park," he said.

Officers of the PCR van found Behera lying unconscious near a park at Airfield, around 8km from Vani Vihar Square, and rescued him. Later, he was admitted to Capital Hospital, from where he was discharged this morning.

Kailash Sarangi, secretary of Sahaya, a voluntary organisation that deals with such patients, said the drugs were so strong that on certain occasions it took the victim almost 48 hours before they could regain consciousness.

"The criminals administer psychotropic drugs through every possible drink, including coconut water, tea, fruit juice and milk. Besides, they also use cakes and biscuits to administer the drug," said Sarangi.

He also said most of these incidents take place near Bhubaneswar railway station and Baramunda bus terminal.

Sources said auto-rickshaw drivers, small-time vendors and platform hawkers were also involved in the organised racket. It is alleged that several medicine shops in and around the station area sell psychotropic drugs without prescription.

The cops said they had been advising passengers not to take food and drink from strangers for some time, but to no avail. "It is hard to identify the criminals involved in such crimes as the victims fail to give a clear description of the accused," said a police official.