Odia man abducted in Sudan returns home after a month; Family thanks PM Modi, Odisha CM

An Odia man who was trapped in Sudan’s civil war and later held captive by armed groups last month has safely returned to India and reached his native village in Odisha.

Adarsh Behera, a resident of Kotakana village in Jagatsinghpur district, arrived in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday after being released and evacuated following coordinated intervention by Indian authorities and diplomatic channels.

According to reports, Behera travelled from Abu Dhabi to Hyderabad late last night and proceeded to Bhubaneswar this morning. His arrival brought relief to his family, who had been seeking assistance for his rescue after he went missing in the conflict-hit Darfur region.

Abduction Amid Escalating Conflict

Adarsh Behera had reportedly been working since 2022 at a plastic manufacturing company in Al Fashir, located in Sudan’s Darfur state. However, operations at the company were suspended as fighting intensified in the region. With the security situation worsening, Behera remained stranded in Sudan.

Last month, a video message surfaced in which he appealed for help, stating that he was stuck due to the civil war and sought evacuation. Shortly thereafter, he was abducted while visiting his workplace by members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), an armed group active in the region.

Videos later sent to the family showed Behera being held in a remote forested location, triggering concern among his relatives and local residents in Jagatsinghpur.

Account Of Captivity

Recounting his ordeal after reaching Bhubaneswar, Behera said he was assaulted soon after being captured. “They beat me mercilessly when they first captured me. They held me thinking that I was a member of the army,” he said.

He added that once the group’s leader realised he was a civilian, he was moved to a cell with no basic facilities. 

“There were no lights or fans. Sometimes I was given bread, sometimes just one biscuit,” Behera said, adding that he was grateful to the authorities for securing his release and return.

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Political And Diplomatic Intervention

The matter was raised in Parliament by Jagatsinghpur MP Bibhu Prasad Tarai, following which steps were taken at the central level to facilitate Behera’s release through diplomatic engagement. Indian authorities coordinated with agencies involved in evacuation and transit arrangements, leading to his safe movement out of Sudan.

Behera’s wife, Sasmitā Behera, said she remained in regular contact with officials during the period of captivity. “I am relieved and happy that my husband is returning after such a long and difficult time. The embassy and officials were in constant touch and kept assuring me,” she said.

"I am grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Odisha Chief Minister. I also thank the Embassy. They were continuously in touch with me and kept reassuring me that they would bring my husband back home safely," she added.

Sources confirmed that Adarsh Behera has now safely returned to Odisha after completing his journey via Abu Dhabi, Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar, and will now head back to his native village.