Balikuda: The body of a 42-year-old man was recovered from a roadside near a canal embankment at Janatakothi Bazaar under Balikuda police limits in Jagatsinghpur district Sunday morning, with police suspecting foul play.
The deceased has been identified as Bijay Swain of Talakusuma village under the Baharana panchayat in Balipatna.
Police have detained his wife, Babita, along with two other youths for questioning as part of the investigation.
According to preliminary reports, Swain, a daily wage labourer, had gone to Garia, a nearby village, Saturday night to attend a feast.
He was last seen returning home on his bicycle around 10 pm.
When he did not return home late into the night, his wife reportedly grew concerned and asked his younger brother to search for him.
Around 11pm, the brother found Swain’s bicycle lying by the roadside along the canal embankment, about a kilometre from their home.
A short distance away, he discovered Swain lying motionless. Locals said Swain was known to consume alcohol frequently and would occasionally be found lying by the roadside in an inebriated state.
Initially suspecting a similar situation, the brother attempted to rouse him but, after noticing ants on his face and getting no response, panicked and returned home.
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Villagers later informed the local sarpanch, who alerted the police.
Balikuda IIC Sushant Kumar Sahu, along with a scientific team, reached the spot Sunday morning and began an investigation.
Based on the circumstances surrounding the death, police suspect murder and have detained three individuals, including the victim’s wife, for further questioning.
Swain’s son has alleged that his father had an ongoing dispute with one of the detained youths and had previously lodged a complaint against him at the police station.
He suspects that the individual may have been involved in the killing.
Police said the exact cause of death will be determined following a post-mortem examination, and further investigation is underway.