In a swift operation spanning multiple districts, Odisha Police rescued 35-year-old Bhubaneswar resident Jay Chakravarti, who was abducted from a petrol pump near Konark on Tuesday evening.
The victim, out on a leisurely tour of the iconic Sun Temple and Chandrabhaga Beach, was forcibly taken by two unidentified youths amid shouts of “Why didn’t you give the money?” Eyewitnesses reported a tense scuffle, hinting at a possible link to a financial dispute or old grudge.
The incident unfolded around dusk on the Konark-Gopalpur road at Banakhandi Petrol Pump. Chakravarti, accompanied by friends, had just refuelled his vehicle after sightseeing at the UNESCO World Heritage site and the serene Chandrabhaga Beach. As he prepared to head back to Bhubaneswar, a navy blue unidentified car pulled up abruptly. The two assailants dragged him into their vehicle and sped off towards the Konark outskirts, leaving stunned onlookers in shock.
Local residents who witnessed the abduction quickly alerted authorities. Preliminary investigations suggest the kidnapping may stem from a botched money transaction or unresolved past enmity.
Under the directives of Puri SP Prateek Singh, a dedicated police team led by Additional SP Sachin Patel launched a high-stakes pursuit. Tracking leads pointing towards Kolkata and Paradip, the joint squad from the district’s special unit and Konark Police zeroed in on the kidnappers’ trail.
In a dramatic raid on an abandoned house in Paradip, officers freed Chakravarti, who was unharmed but shaken. Four young men were arrested on the spot and are now in custody at Chandrabhaga Marine Police Station for interrogation.
Konark Police Station IIC Purna Chandra Sethi confirmed the bust, stating, “The victim’s quick rescue underscores our commitment to rapid response in such cases. We are piecing together the motive through ongoing questioning.”
As the investigation deepens, locals are urging stricter surveillance at tourist hotspots to prevent such brazen daylight abductions. Chakravarti, grateful for his release, has been reunited with his family in Bhubaneswar.
