Odisha: Decomposed Body of Minor Boy Discovered in Septic Tank, One Arrested
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Synopsis
Tensions arose in Ratanpur village, Odisha, after the decomposed body of an 11-year-old boy was found in a septic tank. The boy had been missing since April 15, and police have arrested a relative on suspicion of involvement. Villagers demand justice and a swift investigation into the case.
Key Takeaways
- Decomposed body found in septic tank.
- Victim was missing since April 15.
- Suspect arrested is a relative of the victim.
- Villagers demand death penalty for the accused.
- Calls for a Crime Branch investigation into the case.
Bhubaneswar, April 21 (NationPress) Tensions escalated in Ratanpur village within the Delanga block of Puri district, Odisha on Monday after authorities uncovered the decomposed body of an 11-year-old boy from a septic tank. The child had been reported missing since April 15.
Law enforcement has taken into custody a suspect, Pravakar Sahoo alias Bapi, a distant relative of the victim.
In response, furious villagers ransacked the suspect's residence, demanding the death penalty for his alleged crimes. They accused the police of negligence and called for a swift judicial process.
Local sources indicate that the deceased, Ashirbad Sahoo, went missing while playing near his home in Ratanpur village on the evening of April 15. His family subsequently reported him missing, suspecting the accused's involvement.
The inability of police to locate the child led to public outrage, culminating in a road blockade at Delanga market organized by thousands, including BJD leader Rudra Pratap Maharathy, on Sunday.
Protesters criticized the local police for their perceived apathy and demanded a Crime Branch investigation into the case.
Previously, local authorities had detained the suspect based on the family's allegations but released him without charges, further inciting community anger.
After the protests, police intensified their investigation, capturing Bapi in the Tangi area of Khurdha district on Sunday.
During questioning, the suspect reportedly confessed to the crime and disclosed that he had disposed of the boy's body in a septic tank. The police retrieved the decomposed naked body late Sunday night. Locals alleged that the suspect engaged in unnatural acts with the minor before killing him to eliminate evidence.
A senior police official stated that there had been longstanding business disputes between the suspect and the boy's father, which may have motivated the crime. The official noted that the postmortem report would provide further clarity on the allegations of unnatural acts.
