The Odisha police have arrested a traditional healer and her three sons for allegedly killing a 14-year-old boy in the state's Angul district, police said on Monday.
The deceased has been identified as Sanchit Biswal of Subarnapur village under Kiakata police station in the district. The arrested are -- woman priest Ritanjali Bagh -- and her three sons -- Dibyaranjan, Soumyaranjan and Jyotiranjan.
According to locals, Sanchit was not keeping well and her mother Basanti took him to Mangala Kothi, a special worship place for Goddess Mangala which was run by Ritanjali Bagh, to seek blessings on July 22. Sanchit and his mother were made to sleep in separate rooms in the Kothi that night. The next morning, the boy was found missing.
The family members launched a frantic search for him. Unable to find him anywhere, Basanti lodged a missing complaint at Kiakata police station and a case was registered on July 24.
On July 28, the mutilated body of Sanchit was found hanging from a tree in Baruni forest area, which sparked off tension in the area and the people a police vehicle afire in protest. They also staged a road blockade on Kiakata-Athamallick road, which was lifted after police assurance of action in the matter.
The police have conducted a post-mortem of the body and sealed the Mangala Kothi.
“We have arrested the lady and her three sons in this case. The arrested persons have partially confessed to this crime. We are waiting for the post-mortem report and scientific examination report,” said Sudhansu Sekhar Mishra, SP, Angul.
The police will seek remand of the accused for further investigation in the murder case, he said.
When asked about the human sacrifice angle in this case, the SP said that at this stage, without any scientific evidence, it is not possible to accept or deny it.
"After analyzing the post-mortem report, details of injury marks and opinion of the doctors and cause & time of death, we can give any conclusive opinion," he added.
Returning Officer visit strong room; checks security arrangement, preparation for poll counting
While the state of Tripura preparing for the counting of polls to the 2 parliamentary constituencies, the Returning Officer of the West Tripura Parliamentary Seat Dr Vishal Kumar on Tuesday visited the string room here at Agartala Umakanta Academy and checked the security arrangement.
Those who looted the country will have to pay back: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that action against corrupt people would continue, and those who looted the country will have to pay back.
Congress and INDIA bloc making every effort to save Constitution: Rahul Gandhi
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said that his party and the INDIA bloc are making every effort to save the Constitution while the BJP, PM Narendra Modi and the RSS are bent on destroying it.
Mamata Banerjee skipped Ram Temple inauguration to 'please illegal infiltrators': Amit Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday claimed that despite being invited, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee refused to attend the Ram Temple inauguration in Ayodhya just to "please the illegal infiltrators" in her state.
Home Minister doctored video: 16 leaders summoned, police teams sent to seven states
Around 16 leaders, including Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, in seven states have been summoned by Delhi Police in connection with a doctored video of Union Home Minister Amit Shah,
PM Modi writes to BJP candidates ahead of third phase, urges them to spotlight Congress' politics of 'division and appeasement'
Calling the ongoing Lok Sabha elections a significant moment to get rid of the hardships endured during the decades-long Congress rule, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has personally written a letter to the BJP candidates ahead of the third phase,
Poster featuring Yasin Malik, ex-PM Manmohan Singh & seeking votes for Cong removed by Delhi Police
A controversial poster featuring jailed Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and 'urging people to vote for Congress' was taken down by Delhi Police on Tuesday.
Unwarranted & unsubstantiated imputations on serious matter: India on US media report on Pannun plot case
India on Tuesday said a report published by a media outlet in the US made unwarranted and unsubstantiated imputations on a serious matter involving an alleged plot to kill Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.