Police in Bolangir district have cracked the sensational murder case of Nataraj Thanapati, a young businessman from Deulgudi village, whose body was recovered from beneath the Tel River bridge in Tusura on January 2.
Investigations revealed that his elder brother, Nabakumar, hired contract killers to eliminate him over property disputes.
Superintendent of Police Abhilash J disclosed the details at a press conference held at the district police headquarters. He confirmed that Nataraj, who was soon to be married, was lured to the bridge by his brother’s associates and then pushed to his death.
Police initially investigated whether the death was suicide or murder. After 15 days of sustained inquiry, they detained Nabakumar for questioning. His confession exposed the conspiracy. Call record analysis further corroborated the plot.
According to police, Nabakumar paid Rs 60,000 in advance to the hired killers and promised to settle the remaining amount after the crime.
Police arrested seven persons involved in the murder from the Tusura, Deogaon, and Saintala areas. The accused include:
- Mohan Suna (Kshetra)
- Milan Bahidar (Sagarapali)
- Montu alias Mahadev Bag (Sahajpani)
- Ranjit Mishra (Kui Kheda)
- Sahil Bagarti (Rengali)
- Manoj Selma (Titidunguri)
- Raja Kumhar (Tusura)
All seven were produced in court after arrest.
The motive behind the crime was property inheritance. The revelation shocked villagers, especially since Nataraj’s marriage invitations had already been distributed.
SP Abhilash J, accompanied by Sadar SDPO Saroj Upadhyay and Tusura IIC, stressed that the case demonstrates the importance of scientific investigation and persistence in cracking complex crimes.
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