A 24-year-old woman was murdered near Pakanpur in Jagatsinghpur, Odisha, just a day after her engagement ceremony.
The victim, identified as Sasmita Das from Kathiapada village, sustained deep neck injuries caused by a sharp weapon. Villagers discovered her semi-naked body on Tuesday evening, raising suspicions of sexual assault before the murder.
Sasmita’s engagement took place on Sunday, April 19, at a temple in Dhuanpari village. She was engaged to a youth from Bhadrak and had been staying at her maternal uncle’s house since the ceremony. On Monday, her boyfriend reportedly brought her home, telling her family he was leaving for Jamshedpur, where he works.
On Tuesday night, Sasmita left home around 8 p.m., saying she was visiting a relative nearby. She never returned. Her family searched but did not inform the police immediately. Later, villagers found her body in the farmland.
Jagatsinghpur police reached the spot with scientific teams and sniffer dogs. They registered a case based on her father’s complaint. Investigators suspect her boyfriend’s involvement and have launched a manhunt. One team has been sent to Jamshedpur while another continues the probe locally.
