Balangir businessman rescued after kidnapping linked to antique coin dispute

Narendra Sahu, a businessman from Balangir involved in hotel and real estate ventures, was rescued by police in Bhubaneswar within 24 hours of his abduction. The kidnapping, which occurred in broad daylight, involved the victim being threatened at gunpoint and physically assaulted.

Investigations by the Balangir and Khandagiri police revealed that the motive behind the crime was a financial dispute involving the illegal trade of a rare antique known as the ‘East India Company Hanuman coin.’ While the victim initially claimed he did not know his captors, interrogation of the primary suspect, Kshitish Chandra Sahu, uncovered the connection to the antique coin transaction.

Police tracked the suspects using CCTV footage and toll gate data. During the rescue operation, one suspect was detained, while others fled. Authorities seized the vehicle used in the abduction and a weapon.