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Bhubaneswar: The taxi driver, who was found dead along Chandaka-Barang road on Bhubaneswar outskirts, is suspected to have died by suicide while being held hostage.

The deceased, identified as Bidyadhar Sahu (35), was found dead near Daruthenga village. He went missing on September 15 and a complaint was lodged at Badagada police station. His body was recovered five days later.

According to police sources, some youths had allegedly kidnapped and taken Sahu to Jajpur. They had demanded a ransom of Rs 2 crore. Subsequent investigation revealed that Sahu had allegedly duped many people by promising them jobs. Police also traced the person, who had called up Sahu’s wife, and he spilled the beans on the alleged abduction to make him repay the money.

“Interrogation revealed Sahu was neither repaying the money nor returning the documents he took from the job seekers,” said Bhubaneswar DCP Jagmohan Meena.

Some people known to Sahu spotted his car and later found his body on Saturday morning.

The interrogation of the detainee revealed that the constant confrontation with the job seekers while being held hostage, allegedly prompted him to take the extreme step and he strangled himself using a towel. The abductors then decided to dispose of the body to make it appear like a murder.

While Sahu’s car was found parked along the road, his body was thrown across the boundary wall. A few coins, a purse, and a liquor bottle were also seized from the spot. “Six persons are likely to be arrested,” a police officer added.

The case has put spotlight on a woman named Jyotsna, who according to police is the mastermind behind the job fraud. She is accused of duping aspirants of over Rs 5 crore. Sahu allegedly acted as her associate.

Meanwhile, Sahu’s family members alleged that he was kidnapped and murdered. They also accused police of delayed action in the case.