Four arrested for Odisha businessman kidnapping
Four individuals, including a woman sub-inspector and a journalist, were arrested for the kidnapping and extortion of a Bolangir businessman in Bhubaneswar.
Four people, including a woman police sub-inspector and a Bhubaneswar-based journalist, were arrested for the kidnapping and extortion of a Bolangir businessman, police said on Monday. Hotelier Narendra Sahu, 62, was abducted at gunpoint from Bolangir on August 14, taken to Bhubaneswar, tied up, assaulted and held in a hotel near the Khandagiri police station area. He was rescued on August 15 after his family filed a missing-person complaint. The accused allegedly demanded Rs 50 lakh, using a video of the victim with a pistol to blackmail him.
Who were arrested?
Police said the prime accused is Kshitish Chandra Sahu, who allegedly planned the kidnapping with his associate Sanjiv Behera. Both were arrested after they tried to lodge a false counter-complaint at the Khandagiri police station to frame Narendra Sahu. Kshitish’s sister, Snehamanjari Sahu, a sub-inspector posted at the same police station, was also taken into custody for her alleged involvement. Bhubaneswar-based journalist Sanjay Jena was arrested for allegedly impersonating a police officer and escorting the victim to the station on August 15.
What happened during the kidnapping?
According to police, Narendra Sahu was abducted at gunpoint from Bolangir on August 14 and brought to Bhubaneswar, where he was tied up, assaulted and confined in a hotel near the Khandagiri police station area. The accused forced him to pose with a pistol as if he had kidnapped Kshitish, and the act was recorded on video. This video was then used to blackmail Narendra Sahu and demand a ransom of Rs 50 lakh. Police rescued him on August 15 after his family filed a missing-person complaint when he failed to return home and his mobile phone was found switched off.
What is the link to the antique 'Hanuman Paisa'?
During the investigation, police said Kshitish told them he had paid around Rs 2.7 crore to Narendra in 2020 for the antique coin known as a 'Hanuman Paisa' but claimed he never received the coin nor got his money back. Narendra has denied the allegation, officials said, adding that the police are examining this aspect of the case. Himanshu Kumar Lal, Inspector General of the Northern Range, said four people have been arrested and the inquiry continues to identify any other participants. Bolangir SP Abhilash G stated that "The accused SI threatened the victim to register a fake criminal case against him if he fails to pay Rs 50 lakh within 24 hours".
Who was kidnapped and where from?
Hotelier Narendra Sahu, 62, was abducted at gunpoint from Bolangir district on August 14.
Who were arrested in connection with the kidnapping?
Four people: prime accused Kshitish Chandra Sahu, his associate Sanjiv Behera, Kshitish’s sister Snehamanjari Sahu (a police sub-inspector at Khandagiri police station), and Bhubaneswar-based journalist Sanjay Jena.
What role did the journalist play according to police?
Sanjay Jena allegedly impersonated a police officer and escorted Narendra Sahu to Khandagiri police station on August 15.
What was the ransom demand and how was it communicated?
The accused demanded Rs 50 lakh, using a video of the victim posed with a pistol to blackmail him.
What is the alleged link to the antique 'Hanuman Paisa'?
Kshitish claimed he paid Rs 2.7 crore to Narendra in 2020 for the coin but said he never received it nor got his money back; Narendra denied the allegation.
How was the victim rescued?
Police rescued Narendra Sahu on August 15 after his family filed a missing-person complaint when he did not return home and his phone was switched off.
What actions did the accused take to mislead investigators?
Kshitish and Sanjiv Behera allegedly tried to lodge a false counter-complaint at the police station to frame Narendra Sahu and mislead police.
What statements did police officials make about the case?
Bolangir SP Abhilash G said the accused sub-inspector threatened the victim to register a fake case if he fails to pay Rs 50 lakh within 24 hours; Inspector General Himanshu Kumar Lal said four people were arrested and the investigation continues to identify others.
Suresh Sahu
Senior District Correspondent, Balangir
Suresh Sahu has reported on Balangir district for the Mirror since 2020, focusing on drought-relief policy, health infrastructure, and district politics.
View all articles by Suresh →
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