BERHAMPUR: The investigation into the abduction and brutal murder of realtor Sudhir Kumar Patra has taken a dramatic turn, with the victim’s parents rejecting police claims that property disputes or black magic were the motives behind the crime.
Sudhir’s niece Nivedita Patra and nephew Tushar Patra are among the nine persons arrested by Ganjam police, which had failed to trace the realtor even a week after his abduction. Police earlier claimed the duo acted out of revenge for the death of their father Manoj Patra, Sudhir’s brother. Sudhir (47) was allegedly abducted on April 15 from Dura Defence Colony under Gopalpur police limits while returning home after playing volleyball. His decomposed body was recovered a week later from a forest under Sorada police limits.
Ganjam SP Suvendhu Patra had claimed that Manoj’s death had led to suspicion of use of black magic over business rivalry between the siblings and subsequent revenge by his two children.
However, Sudhir’s father Nilamani Patra (61) denied any property dispute and instead accused his granddaughter Nibedita of masterminding the murder. He alleged that the family was opposed to her inter-caste relationship with Kalu Charan Pradhan and was arranging her marriage elsewhere. Kalu is also one of the accused in the case.
The victim’s parents further claimed that Sudhir shared healthy relations with his brother Manoj and had continued to support the latter’s family even after his death. In fact, Manoj’s family moved to Berhampur while the parents continued to live with Sudhir. Sudhir’s 16-year-old daughter too dismissed the theory of a family feud and suggested jealousy could have been a possible motive.
Meanwhile, Gopalpur police has secured a three-day remand of five key accused, including prime suspect Kalu, alleged contract killer Surya Pratap Singh, Jitun Palei, Narayan Pradhan and Ashish Mahapatra. Singh was nabbed from Surat.
Investigators will grill the accused on aspects such as the planning and execution of the murder, weapons used and logistical arrangements before and after the crime. Police are also attempting to establish the motive, a senior officer said.
Earlier, the accused were medically examined after being taken on remand. Investigators are likely to recreate the crime scene on Sunday.