Nine Arrested in Shocking Kidnapping, Ransom, and Murder of Real Estate Businessman

The case revolves around the abduction and murder of Sudhir Kumar Patra, a resident of Gopalpur in Ganjam district. The incident was initially reported on April 16, 2026, at the Gopalpur Police Station under kidnapping and Arms Act provisions. However, the investigation later expanded to include serious charges such as criminal conspiracy, extortion, destruction of evidence, and murder under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.

According to the police, the victim's wife, Rasmita Kumari Patra, lodged a complaint stating that her husband was abducted at gunpoint on the evening of April 15 while returning home after playing volleyball. The kidnappers demanded a ransom of ₹2 crore and threatened to kill him.

During the investigation, the police recovered the decomposed body of the victim from a jungle road near Ketamani Hills under Sorada police limits. A spot post-mortem was conducted, and the final autopsy report is awaited.

The nine accused arrested in the case have been identified as: - Nibedita Patra (23), daughter of the late Monoj Kumar Patro, resident of Satyanarayanpur under Gopalpur police limits and presently residing at Flat No. 101, KBR Udyam Apartment, Andhapasara Road, Berhampur - Tushar Kumar Patra (19), son of the late Monoj Kumar Patro, of the same address - Kalu Charan Pradhan (28), alias Kalia, son of Bhagaban Pradhan of Kaliaguda village under Gangapur police station, Ganjam - Jitun Polai (33), alias Chhota/Badsaha, son of Panchanan Polai of Allapur village under Hinjilicut police station - Narayan Pradhan (28), alias Kamal, son of the late Susant Pradhan of Ramanda village under Buguda police station - Ashis Mahapatra (25), alias Tulu, son of Rajendra Mahapatra of B. Brahmapur village under Buguda police station - Subham Nayak (20), son of the late Sankarsan Nayak of Kharida village under Hinjilicut police station, presently staying in a rented house at Bainchabania, Shyamalei Nagar, Hinjilicut - Subham Gouda (20), alias Gedu, son of Balaram Gouda of Punarakhandi village under Hinjilicut police station - Surya Pratap Singh (28), alias Golu/Lambu, son of Durga Prasad Singh, originally from Bankad Gram under Kamsthi police station in Uttar Pradesh and presently residing at Ghanasyam Nagar Society near Indralok Society, Surat, Gujarat

Preliminary investigation points to a long-standing family dispute as the primary motive. The deceased had earlier been in a joint real estate business with his elder brother, the late Monoj Kumar Patra. After his death in 2025, tensions escalated over property, business interests, and personal allegations.

The police stated that the situation worsened with accusations of black magic and deep-rooted resentment. Nibedita Patra and her brother Tushar Kumar Patra allegedly harbored intense hostility towards their paternal uncle and played a key role in orchestrating the conspiracy.

Nibedita was reportedly in close contact with co-accused Kalu Charan Pradhan for several years and shared crucial information about the victim's movements and financial status. Technical evidence, including frequent phone communications among the accused, has substantiated the conspiracy.

On April 15 around 7 PM, the accused kidnapped Sudhir Kumar Patra and initially transported him in a vehicle. Near Mathura in Polasara, they switched to another car and took him to a forest area under Buguda police limits.

There, the victim was brutally assaulted with wooden planks. Gunshots were fired near him to terrorize him, and the entire assault was video-recorded. The video was later sent to his family to demand ransom.

However, due to severe injuries, the victim succumbed at the spot. The accused then transported the body in the same vehicle and dumped it near Ketamani Hills under Sorada police limits in an attempt to destroy evidence before fleeing.

Police have seized two vehicles used in the crime, 14 mobile phones, and a country-made firearm from the accused. All nine accused have been arrested and are being produced before the court. Police are likely to seek remand for further interrogation.

Further investigation is underway to collect additional evidence and identify any other persons involved in the case.