Kidnapped Berhampur Businessman Found Dead in Ganjam; Property Dispute Suspected

Bhubaneswar: In a shocking development, the decomposed body of 47-year-old plot businessman Sudhir Kumar Patra, who was kidnapped a week ago, was recovered on Wednesday morning near Rashipankal Bridge in Balipanka village under Sorada police limits in Ganjam district.

According to reports, locals spotted the body around 8 am on a secluded jungle road, nearly 300 metres from the main road, and immediately alerted the police. After a preliminary inspection, Sorada police suspected a connection to the recent kidnapping case and informed Berhampur police. Subsequently, a team from Gopalpur police station, accompanied by a scientific forensic unit, reached the spot and carried out a detailed investigation.

The body was identified by family members based on the clothes Patra was wearing and a bracelet on his hand. In the presence of a magistrate, police seized the body and later shifted it to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur for post-mortem. The mortal remains were handed over to the family in the evening.

Patra had been abducted on the evening of April 15 near Bonagaon under Gopalpur police station. His wife, Rashmita Patra, had lodged a complaint soon after the incident, following which police recovered his motorcycle from the spot.

In a disturbing turn, the kidnappers had sent a video via WhatsApp to the family, showing Patra being brutally tortured. The video reportedly included blank gunfire and a ransom demand of Rs 2 crore. Acting on instructions, Rashmita arranged cash and gold, while police discreetly monitored the situation.

The abductors later made a video call asking her to display the ransom bag near Aska. However, in a subsequent call, they accused her of involving the police and warned that Patra would not return alive. All communication from the kidnappers ceased thereafter.

Preliminary investigation suggests that the abduction and murder were linked to a property dispute. Police have detained two blood relatives of the victim for questioning. Sources indicate that the prime accused had allegedly hired professional criminals from Surat, Delhi, and Mumbai to execute the crime.

Odisha DGP Yogesh Bahadur Khurania confirmed that the accused involved in the sensitive case have been identified and arrested. He assured that further details would be disclosed soon as the investigation progresses.