Bhubaneswar, June 22: In a breakthrough in the sensational Bhadrak abduction case, Sabarang Police have arrested the prime accused, Bhagaban Das alias Baya, from Jajpur district, and other accused will be arrested soon, informed Dr. Satyajit Naik, DIG of Eastern Range, Balasore.
The arrest comes over two weeks after a disturbing incident of kidnapping rocked Marapur village under Sabarang Police Station on the morning of June 5, 2025.
The victim, Pratap Behera, a resident of Marapur, was reportedly abducted by a gang with alleged links to coal mafia operatives. His wife, in a desperate attempt for help, contacted Dr. Satyajit Naik, DIG of Eastern Range, Balasore, alerting him to the abduction.
According to the police, Behera had received multiple threatening calls before his kidnapping. The abductors used several vehicles — including a Bolero, a Hyundai car, and a Dzire — to execute the crime. After the direction of DIG Dr. Naik and his team, the victim was later rescued with multiple injuries from the Mayurbhanj district.
Following the rescue, Behera was initially admitted to the District Headquarters Hospital in Bhadrak and later shifted to a hospital in Cuttack for advanced treatment. During the investigation, the victim identified several individuals involved in the crime, including prominent figures from the coal mafia.
Recognizing the organized nature of the crime and its broader implications on public safety, a dedicated team led by DIG Naik visited the crime scene and initiated immediate legal action to apprehend those involved.
