Bhubaneswar: A woman was arrested on Tuesday in connection with the kidnapping of four persons for Rs two crore ransom in Odisha’s Ganjam district where the accused used a cobra to threaten the victims.
With this, the total number of arrests in the sensational case rose to two. The woman, identified as Sunita Behera, was arrested a day after Pruthibiraj Sahu (24) from Bholasingi village was apprehended by the K Nuagaon police on Monday, sources said.
The arrest was made after police rescued four persons, including a young man working for a financial firm in Delhi, from a forested area at Chikiti in Ganjam district where they were kept hostage after allegedly being kidnapped.
As per information, both the accused have been forwarded to court after being arrested.
During their investigation, the police discovered a surprising find at Sunita Behera’s residence: a large area behind her house where marijuana plants were cultivated.
The police, in collaboration with the excise department, have since destroyed over an acre of marijuana plants found there.
The case dates back to the kidnapping and extortion of four individuals, who were reportedly abducted and hidden in the Kerandimal Jungle near Chikiti.
Using a cobra, the accused allegedly threatened and assaulted the victims, demanding a ransom of Rs two crore.
On January 26, one of the captives managed to escape and reportedly sought help at the Chikiti Tahasil Office, where he recounted the ordeal to the staff.
After getting the information, K Nuagaon police swung into action and rescued the remaining three captives. During the rescue operation, authorities discovered three snakes that had been used by the accused to intimidate the victims.
The case is currently under investigation as the authorities continue to uncover details related to the kidnapping, extortion.
