Man Returns to Odisha After Staying As Captive For 18 Years in Jammu | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: In an emotional reunion at Rourkela railway station on Tuesday, a man returned home after spending 18 years in alleged captivity in Jammu and Kashmir’s Samba district. The development was first reported by the Odia daily Sambad.

Purushottam Goud broke down on seeing his mother and other family members after nearly two decades. Visibly overwhelmed, he embraced his mother as neighbours and well-wishers received him with garlands at the station.

A native of Suidihi Sonaparbat under Lathikata block in Sundargarh district, Purushottam had been taken away at the age of 13 while studying in Class VIII. According to reports, a truck driver from the area allegedly lured him with the promise of employment and transported him to Jammu and Kashmir. He was reportedly left at the residence of a businessman identified as Kuldeep Gupta in Samba district, where he was allegedly forced to work as a bonded labourer and kept in confinement.

Over the years, Purushottam is said to have forgotten his mother tongue and now speaks only Hindi and the local language of the region where he had been living.

His mother, Ullasi, who had adopted him due to the family’s poor financial condition, had searched extensively after he went missing. She filed a complaint at the local police station and approached district authorities, but there was no breakthrough for years.

In January 2026, Ullasi received an unexpected phone call from an unknown person informing her about Purushottam’s whereabouts and sharing a contact number. She approached the local sarpanch with the details, who facilitated her meeting with Raghunathpali MLA Durga Charan Tanti. The legislator subsequently took up the matter with Western Range DIG Brijesh Rai.

Following coordinated efforts involving local representatives and police officials, Purushottam was brought back home safely. The family expressed gratitude to MLA Tanti, police authorities and others who assisted in securing his release and facilitating his return after nearly two decades.