Chhatrapur (Ganjam): In a chilling case of familial betrayal, police in Ganjam district have arrested nine persons, including the victim’s niece and nephew, for allegedly abducting and murdering a realtor over a property dispute, officials said on Thursday.
The victim, Sudhir Patra, was kidnapped on April 15 from Satyanarayanpur under Gopapur police station limits while returning home in the evening.
According to police, the conspiracy was orchestrated by his niece Nivedita Patra and nephew Tushar Kumar Patra, who suspected that Sudhir had taken a larger share of family property following the recent death of his elder brother.
Police said Nivedita allegedly shared her suspicions with an associate, Kalu Charan Pradhan, and the trio hatched a plan over the past two months to abduct Sudhir and extort money from him. Pradhan allegedly arranged for hired criminals to execute the plot.
On the day of the incident, Sudhir was intercepted and forced into an SUV. When the vehicle broke down, the kidnappers shifted him to another car and drove to a forested area near Buguda. There, he was brutally assaulted, with the accused recording a video of the attack and sending it to Sudhir’s wife while demanding a ransom of ₹2 crore.
Police said Sudhir succumbed to injuries the same night. The accused later transported the body and dumped it near Ketamani hill in Sorada before fleeing.
Following a complaint lodged by the victim’s brother-in-law, police formed seven teams to trace the victim. Suspicion fell on family members during questioning, leading to the detention and subsequent confession of the niece and nephew, officials said.
Sudhir’s body was recovered on April 22. Along with the three main accused, six others—identified as Jitun Palei, Narayan Pradhan, Ashish Mahapatra, Subham Nayak, Subham Gouda and Surya Pratap Singh—have been arrested for their alleged involvement.
Police have seized 14 mobile phones, a 7.65 mm pistol, and two vehicles used in the crime.
Addressing a press conference, Ganjam Superintendent of Police Shubhendu Kumar Patra said more arrests are likely as some suspects remain absconding. He added that the accused will be taken on remand for further interrogation.
Sudhir Patra is survived by his wife and two children. His elderly parents, police said, are in deep shock over the incident.
Further investigation is underway.
