Cuttack, May 20: Cuttack Police has successfully rescued a kidnapped youth and arrested multiple individuals involved in the abduction, which stemmed from a high-stakes investment dispute. The development was confirmed by Cuttack DCP Khilari Rishikesh during a press conference held earlier today.
According to police sources, the victim, identified as 31-year-old Soumyaranjan Behera of Baulakuda under Bayalis Mouza police limits, was abducted on the evening of May 18 by a group of 10 to 12 men. The incident occurred around 6 PM when the accused forcibly took Behera in a vehicle from outside his residence.
Behera, a former stock trader and online investor, had reportedly taken funds from multiple individuals, primarily from outside Cuttack district, with promises of high returns in stock market trading. The total investment amount is estimated to be between ₹3 to ₹4 crores. However, after suffering heavy losses between 2019 and 2022 due to a market downturn, he failed to return the principal amounts to investors.
The incident came to light after Behera’s mother, Reena Behera (55), filed a complaint with the local police. She alleged that 20 to 30 unknown persons had abducted her son in a car. Reena, a native of Gadhiaakhala village in Bhubaneswar and currently residing in Cuttack, also mentioned that her son had borrowed large sums to invest in stock trading and had been under pressure from investors.
Following the FIR, Cuttack Police, in coordination with the Special Squad, launched a swift investigation. A police team was dispatched to Kendrapara, where they successfully located and rescued Behera. Several accused were arrested during the operation.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the abduction was orchestrated by Rajesh Das alias Raju, a gym trainer and owner of a fitness center in Kendrapara, along with his associate Sansad alias Dibyajyoti. The duo had reportedly invested around ₹70 lakhs through Behera. Unable to recover their money, they allegedly plotted the kidnapping out of desperation.
To execute the plan, Rajesh and his associates roped in several local youths, many of whom were members of his gym. The group rented a white Maruti Swift (registration number OD33AG8051) in Bhubaneswar and traveled to Cuttack, where they carried out the abduction.
All arrested individuals have been forwarded to court, and further investigation is ongoing to identify any other conspirators or financial misconduct associated with the case.
