Berhampur, May 6: In a major development in the kidnapping and murder case of land businessman Sudhir Patra, his wife Rashmita Patra has alleged that the crime was the result of a family conspiracy driven by jealousy over his growing business success.

Addressing a press conference, Rashmita claimed that certain family members, unable to tolerate Sudhir’s financial progress, hatched a plan to eliminate him with the help of others. She narrated the sequence of events, stating that on the night of the 15th, the kidnappers made repeated calls between 12 AM and 6 AM, demanding a ransom of ₹2 crore.

She further said that the family remained in constant contact with the police following the abduction. According to her, investigators had already indicated possible involvement of family members. The police reportedly traced links to the family through the phone numbers used by the kidnappers. Rashmita also revealed that their niece had been in contact with one of those numbers nearly four months prior to the incident.

Alleging foul play, she claimed that Sudhir was murdered even as ransom demands and threats were being issued.

Rashmita has accused her niece Nibedita’s mother Basundhara and her uncle Trilochan Bishweshwar Ray of involvement in the crime. She stated that Sudhir had invested around ₹2.5 crore in the share market, and his rapid financial growth had triggered jealousy within the family, particularly from his sister-in-law. She also alleged that following the death of Sudhir’s elder brother, the sister-in-law had threatened that he would not be allowed to live peacefully.

Demanding strict action, Rashmita urged the police to bring the accused relatives under investigation and arrest Nibedita’s mother and uncle. She expressed concern over the safety of her children, stating that their lives would remain at risk unless all those involved are put behind bars.