By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: Kharvelnagar PS case No 162 Dt 13.04.2025 U/s -137(2) BNS Complainant: Laxmi-25 Years, At- Niladrivihar Kanyashrama, PS- Chandrasekharpur, Dist-Khurda, Bhubaneswar
Brief fact of the Case: On dtd. 13.04.2025, at about 9.17 AM, one blind woman namely Laxmi (pseudonym), aged about 25 years, At-Niladrivihar Kanyashrama, PS- Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar, Dist-Khurda reported at Kharvelnagar PS that she begs in front of Ram Temple, Unit-3, Bhubaneswar and returns to the Kanyashrama, the place of her stay, every day. But due to rain on dated 12.04.2025 night, she could not return to Kanyashrama and slept in front of the temple along with her daughter aged about 7 Years and her son aged about 2 Years. Some stranger came to her at about 2 AM and offered juice to her son. When she slept with her children, the stranger kidnapped her son and fled away from there. She could not trace out of her son after asking in the locality. Hence, she reported at PS for taking legal action on the culprits and to rescue her son. On receipt of such report, IIC, Kharvelnagar PS registered Kharvelnagar PS case No 162 Dt 13.04.2025 U/s -137(2) BNS.
Steps Taken to rescue the child:
Detailed rescue operation carried by four teams including outside the state.
Human intelligence, Technical intelligence, Smart City Camera Surveillance, Mobile forensics and examination of concerned persons.
Assistance of RPF, West Bengal Police, Blaeshwar Police and Bhadrak Police was taken to detect the case.
Locations of the suspects were ascertained. Simultaneously, raids were conducted by different teams at all possible locations.
The child was rescued under Khantapada PS of Baleshwar district. The kidnapper was apprehended from Puri.
Result: Within 48 hours of reporting the incident, the child has been rescued by the police and kidnappers have been apprehended.
Arrests Made: Kidnapper: Kedarsan Panda-27 years S/o Sibaram Panda, At: Gangadharapur
Findings till now: So far, the investigation transpires that the complainant Laxmi is a visually challenged woman who resides at Kanyashram, Niladri Vihar, Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar along with her daughter aged about 07 years and son aged about 02 years. Due to some dispute, her husband Kahnu Charan Sahoo also visually challenged is not staying with her. She is maintaining her livelihood from begging. She comes to Sri Ram Temple, Unit 3, Bhubaneswar every day along with her two kids, begs there and returns home in the evening. On dtd.12.04.2025, the temple was crowded as Shri Hanuman Jayanti was being celebrated. Laxmi could not return to Kanyaashram due to heavy rain in the evening. So, she slept in front of the temple along with her two kids.
The accused Kedarsan Panda reached there and played with the children to gain confidence of Laxmi and her children. Subsequently, as per his plan, he kidnapped the male child and reached at Bhubaneswar Railway Station. Thereafter, he travelled with child by train to reach Baleshwar railway station. As per their previous plan, Jhelam Rani Panda reached at Baleshwar Railway Station and accompanied the principal accused with the kidnapped child.
Kedarsan was previously working in Bengaluru as a delivery boy in Zomato and Swiggy. Also, the husband of the Jhelam Rani Panda was working there as security guard. One month back, Kedarsan developed acquaintance with Jhelam Rani Panda from there over phone and later they met in Odisha when he came back to Odisha from Bengaluru.
The accused Kedarsan Panda developed close relationship with the Jhelam Rani Panda. Jhelam has two daughters and one son (9 year old). Her son is reportedly suffering from serious illeness. She stated before Kedarsan to adopt a male child. She claimed during interrogation that she wanted to adopt an orphan child as she believed that due to the noble work & blessings, her son will get cured. Her claim is under verification and her role in the case is under investigation.
C/A of Kedarsan Panda:
Pahal PS case number 323/2023 dated 17/10/2023: Theft of one Honda active Scooty bearing Regd No. OD 04 R 4762.
Jajpur PS case number 486/2023 dated 27/12/2023: Theft of one Honda Shine CBF 125 MCA motor Cycle bearing Regd No OR 04 M 6677.
Jajpur PS case number 491/2023 dated 28/12/2023: Theft of one Activa Scotty bearing Regd. No. ODC4667.
