Man presumed 'dead' 11 years ago found alive

A man who was declared "dead" by his father 11 years ago in Odisha was Tuesday found alive, police said.

The bizarre incident came to light after the crime branch of Odisha Police traced Gajendra Kumar Kar in his home town of Berhampur in Ganjam district, about 180 km from here and arrested him.

He was arrested as his father's complaint that he was kidnapped and murdered was found false, he said.

According to crime branch police, Kar's father Bhikhyakari had filed a petition in the local court seeking a probe alleging that his son had been kidnapped and murdered by a gang of four people Nov 14, 2002.

He had also accused Gajendra's wife Geetanjali of being a member of the gang, a senior official of the crime branch told IANS.

On the direction of the court, the local police lodged a criminal case March 12, 2007, he said.

The crime branch announced a cash reward of Rs.50,000 for furnishing information about the whereabouts of Gajendra.

Based on credible information, a team of the crime branch traced Gajendra and arrested him Tuesday, he added.