Bhubaneswar, Aug 17: A journalist and a serving woman Sub-Inspector were among four persons arrested for allegedly kidnapping a Balangir businessman, confining him in a Bhubaneswar hotel and attempting to extort Rs 50 lakh by threatening to implicate him in criminal cases, police said on Monday.

The accused were identified as Kshitish Chandra Sahu (50) of Bhubaneswar, Sanjit Behera of Balangir, journalist Sanjay Jena and SI Snehamanjari Sahu. Police said Snehamanjari is the sister of the prime accused, Kshitish.

Addressing a press conference, Balangir SP Abilash G said businessman Narendra Sahu (52), alias Gunda Sahu, was allegedly abducted from Balangir on August 14. His mobile phone was switched off shortly afterwards and he was taken to Bhubaneswar, where a police team rescued him on August 15.

According to police, the accused had allegedly planned the operation carefully. Narendra’s Maruti Jimny was driven towards Redhakhol and Angul to mislead investigators, while the accused travelled separately in an SUV via Daspalla and confined him in a Bhubaneswar hotel.

Police alleged that the victim was threatened with a firearm and forced to make calls to his family, assuring them that he was safe and discouraging them from approaching police.

The investigation reportedly uncovered 12 videos from Kshitish’s mobile phone. Police alleged that Narendra was handed an unloaded pistol and forced to pose as if he had assaulted the accused. He was also allegedly made to apologise and promise repayment of money.

The SP said the videos were allegedly created to fabricate evidence, strengthen a false assault case and pressure the victim into paying money. Police are continuing the investigation into the alleged conspiracy and the role of each accused.

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