Kidnapped doctor, wife freed in Bihar

A Gaya-based doctor and his wife, who were abducted six days ago, were freed on Wednesday in Bihar's Gaya district. The couple have returned to their home, police said.

Pankaj and his wife Subhra were abducted near Barachatti on the Grand Trunk Road in Gaya while returning from a wedding in Jharkhand's Giridih district. Pankaj is a well-known medical practitioner in Gaya and belongs to a leading business family.

Gaya's Senior Superintendent of Police Manu Maharaj said that Pankaj Gupta and his wife were released by the abductors under tremendous police pressure.

"Yes, it is true that the doctor and his wife have been freed by the abductors, both are safe now. Police will inform about everything soon," Maharaj said, but refused to divulge more details.

The release of the couple is a big relief for Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar who had said their abduction was a challenge for him and his government.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) and the Bihar State Health Service Association (BSHSA) had threatened to paralyse medical services in the state if the doctor and his wife were not traced soon.