Hinjlicut: A married woman who was reported to be kidnapped Monday night from Brahmanchhai village was found dead by police in a farmland Tuesday morning near Samarjhola village under Hinjili police limits in Ganjam district.
The deceased woman, identified as Manjula Pradhan, was found in a partially undressed state, with police stating that their preliminary investigation indicates it to be a case of rape and murder
Inspector in-charge Prasant Kumar Sahoo, Aska SDPO Subash Chandra Panda and IICs of nearby police stations reached the spot and launched a probe with the help of a forensic team and a sniffer dog squad. A case has been lodged over a complaint lodged by the deceased’s husband, SDPO Panda said.
According to details revealed by police, Manjula along with her four-year-old son and mother-in-law went to attend a wedding at Ralab village under Hinjli police limits Monday evening. However, some people took her with them Monday night saying her husband Babula was detained at a nearby police station for some reason. Manjula was not to be seen since.
Babula later lodged a complaint with the police regarding his wife’s kidnapping late Monday night after coming to know of her abduction. A search operation by police didn’t yield any result.
Meanwhile, locals spotted the body in a farmland adjoining a canal Tuesday afternoon and informed the police. Babula was taken by police to the spot where he identified the body. A gold necklace weighing about 50 gm and a nose ring were found missing from the body, according to Babula. While the body was found in a state of partial undress, several scratch marks on Manjula’s body indicated she was raped before being strangled to death. Police suspect the involvement of several persons in the incident.
The SDPO said the investigation would cover all angles as there were conflicting statements being given by Babula’s relatives regarding the woman’s disappearance.
Meanwhile, sources said the possibility that the woman was murdered over a rivalry relating to liquor trade cannot be ruled out.
“A group of Brahmanchhai villagers who were opposed to the opening of a liquor shop by Babula in the area might be behind the murder,” a villager said preferring anonymity.
Police sent the body to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur for post-mortem. The investigation would proceed further once the autopsy report comes, officials said. PNN
