Odisha Police Capture Five in Gruesome Minor Murders

Key Takeaways

Five individuals arrested in connection with two cases of minor girls' murders.

First case involves a **17-year-old girl** from Dhenkanal district.

Second case pertains to a **14-year-old girl** from Mayurbhanj district.

Authorities emphasize the importance of justice for victims.

Investigation is ongoing with further developments anticipated.

Bhubaneswar, March 22 (NationPress) The Odisha Police apprehended five individuals on Sunday in connection with two disturbing cases involving the rape and murder of a 17-year-old girl in Dhenkanal district and the tragic killing of a 14-year-old girl in Mayurbhanj district.

In the initial case, authorities in Dhenkanal arrested four individuals, including the primary suspect, Gangadhar Patra, also known as Jaga (38), who resides in Santarapur village under the jurisdiction of Kamakhyanagar police. This arrest pertains to the rape and murder of a minor who was a college student.

According to police reports, the victim left her home on March 18 around 7:30 a.m. to attend her examination but failed to return by the afternoon. Her family reached out to the college officials, but her location could not be determined.

Following an extensive search by her family, they were notified on March 19 that her body was discovered near the Saruali Gram Panchayat office.

The investigation revealed that the suspect, a bus driver, was familiar with the victim as she regularly boarded his bus to reach college. On the day of the incident, he allegedly lured her into a car post-examination, assaulted her, and subsequently took her life. He, along with accomplices, reportedly concealed her body in a forest area near Saruali village.

Police apprehended the suspects on Saturday night while they were allegedly trying to escape in a vehicle.

In a distinct case, law enforcement in Mayurbhanj arrested a tuition teacher, identified as Trilochan Mahakud (39), for the murder of a 14-year-old girl in the Karanjia region.

As outlined in a police statement, Mahakud was reportedly infatuated with the victim, which her family strongly opposed. Out of resentment over this opposition, he allegedly plotted the crime.

On March 20, Mahakud is said to have called the girl to a secluded area close to her home, where a confrontation occurred. He then allegedly strangled her with a belt and subsequently concealed her body in a gunny bag before disposing of it in a nearby forest.

Based on the complaint from the family, police detained Mahakud, who confessed during interrogation. Investigations are ongoing.

Point of View

It's critical to highlight the severity of these cases and the profound impact they have on communities. The tragic loss of young lives underlines the urgent need for systemic changes in safeguarding minors. Our focus should be on ensuring justice for the victims and preventive measures for the future.

NationPress

10 May 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the details of the cases?

Odisha Police have arrested five individuals linked to the **rape and murder** of a **17-year-old girl** in Dhenkanal and the **killing** of a **14-year-old girl** in Mayurbhanj.

Who are the main suspects?

The primary suspect in the Dhenkanal case is **Gangadhar Patra**, while the Mayurbhanj case involves **Trilochan Mahakud**, a tuition teacher.

What are the police doing about it?

Police have detained the suspects and are conducting further investigations to ensure justice is served.

When did these incidents occur?

The incidents occurred around mid-March 2023, with the first victim going missing on March 18 and the second case transpiring on March 20.

What measures are being taken for the victims' families?

Authorities are likely providing support to the victims' families and ensuring that the legal process is expedited to secure justice.