Berhampur, Apr 23: Berhampur Police cracked the kidnapping and murder of plot trader Sudhir Kumar Patra (47), exposing a chilling mix of family conspiracy, property dispute, and suspicion of witchcraft behind the crime.

Addressing a press meet, police confirmed that nine accused persons were arrested and forwarded to court following an intensive investigation led by Berhampur Sadar SDPO Subhransu Sekhar Parida, who is the Investigating Officer (IO) in the case.

Kidnap, Torture and Murder
As per the investigation, Sudhir was abducted on April 15, 2026, around 7pm while returning home after playing volleyball at Gopalpur. He was first forced into a Mahindra Bolero vehicle before being shifted to a Hyundai Venue car near Polasara. The accused then took him deep into Ramapada forest under Buguda police station limits. There, he was subjected to brutal assault, beaten with wooden planks, kicked repeatedly and terrorised with gunshots fired near his body. The entire torture was recorded on video, which was later sent to his wife, Rasmita Patra, to demand a ransom of Rs 2 crore. When the family expressed inability to arrange such a huge amount, the threats intensified. Police said the victim eventually succumbed to the severe injuries inflicted during the assault.

Body Dumped, Trail Goes Cold
After the murder, the accused transported the body in the same vehicle and dumped it near Jungle Road at Ketamani Hills under Sorada police station limits in an attempt to destroy evidence. They then fled to different locations across states. Seven days later, the decomposed body was recovered, and a spot post-mortem was conducted, with the final autopsy report still awaited.

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Old Rivalries Turn Deadly
Police said trouble began after the death of Manoj Kumar Patra on June 9, 2025, at the age of 49 due to illness. Following his demise, serious disputes surfaced between Sudhir and Manoj’s family over their real estate business. Investigators revealed that Manoj’s family members had since been accusing Sudhir of causing his death through alleged black magic practices, deepening mistrust and hostility. This simmering tension, coupled with property disputes, gradually turned into a revenge motive. Technical evidence gathered during the probe, including frequent phone calls between Monoj’s family members and the accused, has further reinforced this angle, police said.

Niece at Centre of Conspiracy
The probe has identified Sudhir’s niece, Nibedita Patra (23), as the central conspirator. Police said she had been in close contact with the accused Kalu Charan Pradhan for nearly five years and maintained regular communication with him since January this year. Investigators believe she shared details about Sudhir’s financial position and movements while expressing hostility towards him. Her brother, Tushar Kumar Patra (19), also remained in touch with the accused and allegedly supported the plan. Acting on their inputs, Kalu Charan Pradhan is said to have mobilised a group of associates, including criminals linked to Gujarat's Surat, ultimately executing the conspiracy.

Nine Arrested
Police have so far arrested nine accused, including Nibedita Patra and her brother Tushar, along with Kalu Charan Pradhan, Jitun Polai, Narayan Pradhan, Ashis Mahapatra, Subham Nayak, Subham Gouda and the prime accused Surya Pratap Singh alias Golu, a native of Varanasi who had fled to Surat before being apprehended in a joint operation with Gujarat Crime Branch. Officials said sustained technical surveillance, mobile analysis, local intelligence inputs and coordinated raids played a crucial role in cracking the case.

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Case Moves to Court
All accused were produced before a court, and police are set to seek their remand for further interrogation. They have been charged with kidnapping for ransom, criminal conspiracy, extortion, destruction of evidence and murder.

Investigators said further layers of the conspiracy may emerge as the probe continues, in what is being described as one of the most gruesome and psychologically complex crimes reported from the region in recent times.