Devotee kidnapped from Nemalo Mutt in Cuttack; police launch probe

Cuttack: A devotee was allegedly kidnapped by five to six miscreants from Nemalo Mutt in the district today morning.

According to sources, the devotee Subhendu Mohapatra, a resident of Bhimatangi area in Bhubaneswar had gone to visit the historic birthplace of Mahapurusha Achyutananda at Nemalo along with his wife Lopamudra and two minor daughters. While he was standing nearby the mutt after darshan, five to six miscreants caught him and forcibly shoved him into a car before fleeing the spot.

The matter came to light after some eyewitnesses immediately informed Subhendu's wife who was inside the Mutt. Later, Nemalo Police reached the spot and launched a probe into the incident.

After a preliminary probe, police recovered a fake number plate which the cops believe was used by the kidnappers. However, the exact reason behind the crime is yet to be ascertained.

Dhruba Charan Ojha , an eyewitness informed that he saw two to three persons moving suspiciously nearby the mutt and talking over phone in Telugu language. Some others were also present inside the car.

“When we asked them why they were forcibly taking away the man, one of them clarified that this man (Subhendu) had several cases pending against him. Then he showed us an identity card and claimed that he was a police official,” Ojha said.

Rajendra Barik, another eyewitness said, “Since the man did not even utter a word, none of us or other bystanders protested his act.”

Subhendu's wife said that she is clueless on why her husband was kidnapped.

“I did not know about the incident until some eyewitnesses informed me about it. There were no cases against him and as far as I know and he did not have any grudge against anyone. He runs small businesses and also undertakes construction projects,” she said.