The victims were found in an abandoned house in Chikiti, Ganjam district. The kidnappers had threatened to kill them using snakebites, and three snakes were recovered from the scene.

One accused, Pruthibiraj Sahu of K Nuagaon, was arrested. Police revealed that Sahu and others lured the victims to Berhampur under the pretext of securing finance for a project. The victims, including complainant Amarjit Samanta Singhara, finance agent Rabindra Kumar, and two others, were confined and assaulted.

On January 26, Singhara escaped and alerted authorities, leading to the rescue of the others. The Forest Department has been notified about the snakes, and a case has been registered as investigations continue.