‘Kidnapped’ ward member found safe in Odisha’s Jajpur; political conspiracy alleged

Jajpur police on Wednesday confirmed that Ranpur Panchayat Ward No. 3 member Dhaneswar Sethi returned home safely, a week after he was allegedly abducted by unidentified miscreants. 

Police added that the abductors released him near the Binjharpur police station in Jajpur late Tuesday evening. The incident, which coincided with a planned no-confidence motion against the local sarpanch, has stirred political tension in the area.

Ward Member Released After Week In Captivity

According to police, Sethi was found abandoned a short distance from the Binjharpur police station on Tuesday night. Officers said he appeared exhausted but safe and was later taken for medical examination.

Notably, his family had earlier alleged that he was kidnapped to prevent him from voting in the no-confidence motion scheduled for October 8.

Sources reported that Sethi had allegedly gone missing on October 1, shortly after visiting Binjharpur. His relatives filed a complaint alleging that a group of unidentified men forcibly took him away.

Not long after filing a missing persons complaint, his family members voiced suspicions that this was not a random kidnapping but an act linked to local political rivalry.

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Political Angle Under Investigation

Sources said Sethi had expressed support for the no-confidence motion against the sarpanch of Ranpur panchayat. His sudden disappearance, days before the scheduled vote, triggered widespread speculation that it was an attempt to influence the outcome. As a result, the no-confidence motion was postponed, officials confirmed.

As of the last reports, Binjharpur police have launched an investigation to identify the people behind the abduction. Authorities are currently examining call records, CCTV footage, and possible witnesses to trace the route and location where Sethi was held during the week.

It is worth noting that no arrests have been made in the case so far, and a new date for the no-confidence motion in the panchayat is yet to be announced.