Sudhir's niece, Nibedita Patra, has emerged as the alleged mastermind, reportedly aided by her boyfriend, Kalu Charan Pradhan, and her brother, Tushar Kumar Patra.

The sensational case, initially registered at Gopalpur police station on April 16, has now been converted into charges including kidnapping for ransom, criminal conspiracy and murder under multiple sections of BNS and Arms Act. Police have arrested nine accused in connection with the crime.

The nine arrested in the murder of Sudhir Patra are Nibedita Patra, Tushar Kumar Patra, Kalu Charan Pradhan (Kalia), Jitun Polai, Narayan Pradhan, Ashis Mahapatra, Subham Nayak, Subham Gouda and supari killer Surya Pratap Singh. They were arrested from different locations following a coordinated investigation by Berhampur Police.

According to investigators, the motive stems from a deep-rooted family dispute over property and business interests. The deceased, a successful real estate businessman, had earlier been in a joint venture with his elder brother, the late Manoj Kumar Patra. Following Manoj's death in June 2025, tensions escalated between the two families.

Police said resentment grew within Manoj Patra's family, with suspicions and accusations directed at Sudhir Kumar Patra. This hostility allegedly culminated in a calculated revenge plotted by Nibedita Patra.

Investigators revealed that Nibedita had been in close contact with her boyfriend Kalu Charan Pradhan for nearly five years and had allegedly been sharing sensitive information about the victim's movements and financial status. Her younger brother Tushar Kumar Patra also remained in regular contact with Kalu and reportedly supported the plan.

Based on this information, Kalu is believed to have assembled a group of associates, including criminals with links outside Odisha, to execute the crime. On the evening of April 15, Sudhir Kumar Patra was allegedly abducted at gunpoint while returning home after a volleyball game in Gopalpur. He was first taken in Bolero and later shifted to another car before being driven to a forested area under Buguda police limits.

Police said the victim was brutally assaulted with wooden planks, and shots were fired to terrorise him. The attackers reportedly recorded the assault and sent the video to his wife, demanding a ransom of Rs 2 crore. However, due to the severity of injuries, the victim died on the spot.

In an attempt to destroy evidence, the accused allegedly transported the body and dumped it near Ketamani Hills under Sorada police limits. The body was later recovered in a decomposed state. Through technical surveillance, call data analysis and coordinated raids, police tracked down and arrested all nine accused from different locations. Key evidence, including two vehicles used in the crime, 14 mobile phones and a country-made firearm, have been seized.