Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Balangir, Jul 27:

Kolkata-based businessman Pratik Patodia, who was kidnapped from Beheramal in Odisha’s Jharsuguda, was rescued along with his car driver by Balangir police from Kantabanjhi in the district, today.

kidnap

Patodia, director of Ashoka Multiyarn Mills Ltd at Kirei in Sundargarh, and the driver were allegedly kidnapped by miscreants from Beheramal when the businessman was going by a car to the factory on July 22.

The employees of the mill, who were waiting for Patodia to arrive at the factory, telephoned him but his mobile was found switched off. Suspecting foul play, the staff went to Jharsuguda and found Patodia’s car in an abandoned state with opened doors.

As per a police complaint lodged by the manger of the company, a Kantabanjhi-based cotton trader is behind the kidnapping of Patodia. It is suspected that business rivalry might have led to the incident. The involvement of driver in the abduction is also under suspicion.

However, police are light lipped on the incident.