Bhubaneswar, April 23 (IANS) In a major breakthrough, Berhampur Police have arrested nine people, including the alleged mastermind in connection with the kidnapping and murder of a businessman in Gopalpur, police said on Thursday.

The case came to light on April 16 when the victim’s wife lodged a complaint at Gopalpur police station, alleging that her 47-year-old husband, Sudhir Kumar Patra, had been kidnapped the previous evening (on April 15) by unidentified miscreants, who demanded a ransom of Rs 2 crore and threatened to kill him.

Speaking to media persons, Ganjam Superintendent of Police, Suvendu Kumar Patra, said that during the initial phase of investigation, police found some clues hinting towards the involvement of the family in the case.

“Later, following interrogation, the victim’s niece Nibedita Patra’s prime involvement in the case was established,” he said.

Explaining the sequence of events, SP Patra said, “Following the death of the victim’s brother, who was also a prominent businessman, a few months ago, a dispute arose between the families of Sudhir and his brother over distribution of money and other financial matters. The prime accused Nibedita allegedly believed that her family had not been treated fairly and suspected that the victim had practiced sorcery, which they thought led to the untimely death of her father.”

The Berhampur Police sources added that Sudhir was a successful real estate businessman who had earlier run his business jointly with his elder brother, late Manoj Kumar Patra, who died on June 9, 2025. Following his death, disputes allegedly arose between the two families, leading to growing animosity.

Investigating officials said the prime accused, Nibedita, along with her brother Tushar Kumar Patro and associate Kalu Charan Pradhan, hatched a plan to kidnap Sudhir and extort ransom from his family. Kalu later contacted associates, including criminals linked to Surat in Gujarat, to execute the plan.

As per the investigation, Sudhir was kidnapped on April 15 evening while returning home after playing volleyball. He was first taken in a Bolero vehicle and later shifted to another car near Polasara before being taken to Ramapada jungle under Buguda police limits. The accused persons allegedly assaulted him with wooden planks and fired shots near him to terrorise him.

The assault was recorded and sent to his wife to demand Rs 2 crore ransom. Police said the victim succumbed to his injuries, and the body was later dumped near Ketamani Hills under Sorada police limits.

Police have arrested all nine accused, namely Nibedita Patra, Tushar Kumar Patro, Kalu Charan Pradhan, Jitun Polai, Narayan Pradhan, Ashis Mahapatra, Subham Nayak, Subham Gouda and Surya Pratap Singh. They have also seized two vehicles, 14 mobile phones and a country-made firearm.

–IANS

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