Ganjam, Apr 23: The shocking abduction and murder of plot dealer Sudhir Patra has rattled Ganjam district, with police investigations revealing the involvement of more than eight individuals, including close relatives of the victim.

According to police sources, three suspects from Sudhir’s village are currently in custody, among them a brother-sister duo related to Sudhir. Additional arrests have been made from Gopalpur, Gangapur, and Hinjili police station areas, with further suspects traced outside Odisha.

The incident began on April 15 when Sudhir was abducted from the Defence Colony area under Gopalpur police station while riding his bike.

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The kidnappers later contacted his wife via WhatsApp, demanding ₹2 crore. When the family said they could not arrange such a sum, the abductors sent disturbing videos showing Sudhir being tortured. They then instructed the family to bring whatever gold and cash they had to Asika bridge.

Family members complied, showing the valuables over a video call. However, after being told to move to another location, they lost contact with the kidnappers. Alarmed, they reported the matter to police, who formed eight teams to investigate across districts and even outside the state.

Seven days later, Sudhir’s decomposed body was discovered near Sorada forest. Investigations revealed he had been brutally tortured — beaten, shot in the hand, and threatened at gunpoint — before being killed.

The kidnappers had recorded these acts and sent the videos to his family to intensify pressure for ransom.

Police have detained several suspects and are interrogating them to uncover the full conspiracy. The revelation that Sudhir’s close relatives were allegedly involved has shocked the community. Authorities continue to probe the financial and personal motives behind the crime.