Bargarh: A youth, whose father claimed that he was kidnapped and murdered, returned home Tuesday much to the surprise of the residents of Majhipalli village under Paikamal police limits here.
The youth was identified as Jitu Dansena (18), son of Manoranjan Dansena at Majhipali village near Pipilipali. The incident has not only surprised the villagers, but they have also raised doubts regarding the police probe.
Jitu went missing December 7, 2016. When his family members failed to trace his whereabouts, they lodged a complaint with the Paikamal police station, December 25, 2016.
Initially, the police registered a missing case, but later changed it to a murder case and arrested two youths – Halu Gurla and Raghab Nayak – on charges of the alleged murder. While Jitu’s homecoming has brought happiness in his family, they are equally skeptical about the police probe in the case.
During the probe, police found that Jitu’s mobile phone was being used by another youth. Taking a cue from this, they arrested Gurla and Nayak. Police produced the two ‘accused’ in a court June 29, 2017 when they failed to trace the Jitu’s ‘body’ despite ‘best efforts’.
After languishing in jail for a prolonged period, Gurla and Nayak were released on conditional bail.
On his return, Jitu revealed that he was studying Plus II at the Regional College while staying in a mess since his ‘disappearance’ in 2016. He also visited his home and returned to his mess in December 2016. He fell sick and visited Bargarh for a medical check-up when two youths kidnapped him. They took him to the Jira riverbed and assaulted him there.
He lost consciousness due to the assault and on regaining consciousness he found his mobile phone and money missing from his pocket. Subsequently, instead of returning home, Jitu boarded a train to Delhi where he worked in hotel for one year. Later, he went to Kolkata and joined a band party.
During his stay in Kolkata, he met an ice cream vendor July 5 and narrated his ordeal to him. He also gave the vendor his father’s telephone number. On his part, the ice cream vendor called Jitu’s father and informed him about Jitu’s whereabouts. His father initially did not take his words seriously, but believed the vendor only after the latter sent Jitu’s photograph through Whatsapp.
Manoranjan informed the entire matter to the Paikamal police and left for Kolkata to bring back his son July 7. While returning Manoranjan doubted that his son might again give him a slip and sought the help of Kharavel Nagar police in Bhubaneswar. Police met them and asked them to stay for a day in Bhubaneswar before permitting them to leave for their village on the following day.
PNN
