Police uncovered a shocking case in Bhubaneswar where an engineering student staged his own kidnapping to extort Rs 13 lakh from his family.
The student, staying in a private hostel under Infovalley police limits, called his father, claiming he had been abducted and demanded Rs 13 lakh for his release. His father filed a complaint, prompting police to form a special team to trace him.
Police Commissioner Suresh Dev Datta Singh said the case initially appeared to be a genuine abduction. Investigators later found the student safe during a raid near the Madanpur panchayat office. Questioning revealed that he had fabricated the story to recover money from his family.
The student had borrowed nearly Rs 13 lakh from seven friends to fund his lavish lifestyle. He cited reasons like medical emergencies and exam fees to collect money ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 7 lakh from each. He repaid only Rs 2–3 lakh, leaving a huge debt. Facing pressure from lenders, he devised the fake kidnapping plan to clear his dues.
Police exposed the entire scheme and confirmed that no abduction had occurred. The student now faces legal action for misleading authorities and attempting extortion.
