Bhubaneswar, (Reporterspen), June 21: Chandaka Police made a significant breakthrough on Friday by rescuing Smrutirekha Pangi, who was reported abducted from Bhubaneswar’s Trident Galaxy apartment on June 19. Initially thought to be kidnapped, investigations revealed that Smrutirekha had orchestrated her own disappearance with her lover’s help due to familial disapproval of their relationship.
According to reports, Smrutirekha, living with her parents post-separation from her husband, allegedly staged her disappearance after leaving for Satsang Vihar near Vani Vihar. Her family, alarmed by her absence, filed a complaint suspecting abduction when the abductor demanded a ransom of Rs 1 crore from her brother in Bengaluru.
However, a meticulous police investigation tracked the trio’s movements via mobile phone signals, ultimately locating them in Nayagarh. Commissioner of Police Sanjeeb Panda oversaw the operation that led to the arrest of two individuals, identified as Devi Lala Ola and Pradeep Kumar Ola from Rajasthan, including Smrutirekha’s boyfriend.
During interrogation, the accused disclosed that Smrutirekha had planned the fake kidnapping to extort money from her brother, an online trader. Smrutirekha and Pradeep had allegedly developed their relationship over Instagram over the past 8-10 months and intended to marry. Their plot unraveled when police intervened promptly, leading to their arrest the next day.
