The high‑profile Narendra Sahu (Gunda) abduction case has taken a dramatic turn with the arrest and court production of four accused, including prime suspect Kshitish Sahu, his sister SI Sneha Manjari Sahu, journalist Sanjay Jena, and associate Sanjit Behera.
The accused were produced before the Balangir SDJM Court today. Police seized a pistol, six live bullets, a vehicle, and six mobile phones from their possession.
According to Balangir SP Abhilash G, the gang abducted businessman Narendra Sahu at gunpoint, assaulted him, and demanded a Rs 50 lakh ransom. The victim was confined in Bhubaneswar’s Sunrise Hotel, where fabricated videos were shot to blackmail him. Initially, the gang demanded Rs 10 crore, later reducing it to Rs 50 lakh.
Investigations revealed that SI Sneha Manjari played a key role in controlling the operation, while journalist Sanjay Jena allegedly posed as a police officer to lodge a false complaint at Khandagiri police station. Police say the abduction was purely for extortion, dismissing earlier claims of financial dealings between Kshitish and the businessman.
SP Abhilash confirmed that the accused have been remanded to judicial custody, while two more suspects remain absconding. Teams are actively pursuing them. Sambalpur IG Himanshu Lal also reviewed the progress of the investigation.
Police maintain that the case was a planned conspiracy for extortion, with the involvement of serving and suspended officials adding to its notoriety.
