Balangir: A ransom demand of Rs 50 lakh following the abduction of a Balangir-based businessman has brought to light an alleged Rs 2.70 crore financial dispute linked to what the accused described as a ‘Hanuman coin’ deal, police said Sunday.
Businessman Narendra Sahu, alias Gunda, was allegedly abducted by a group of six persons Friday and taken to Bhubaneswar, where he was held captive and the abductors demanded Rs 50 lakh for his release, Balangir Superintendent of Police Abilash G said.
A joint team of Balangir police and a special police squad from Bhubaneswar rescued Sahu safely from a hotel under Khandagiri police station Saturday evening.
Kshitish Sahu of Kantamal in Boudh district, who was allegedly involved in the abduction, was arrested from Bhubaneswar, police said.
During interrogation, Kshitish reportedly claimed that Sahu had taken Rs 2.70 crore from him after promising to provide a ‘Hanuman coin’.
However, he neither gave him the coin nor returned the amount, Kshitish alleged.
He claimed that the alleged financial dispute was the reason behind Sahu’s abduction.
Police, however, are verifying the claims made by both the accused and the rescued businessman.
The SP said the statements of the two sides were being examined as part of the investigation.
“The accused will be produced in court and subsequently brought on remand for further investigation,” Abilash said, adding that Sahu will be released after a medical examination.
Police are also questioning another person, identified as Sanjit Behera, over his suspected involvement in the incident.
