The decomposed body of a 24-year-old electrician who had been missing for two days was recovered from behind a local high school in the Mota Uparasahi area under Jankia police station in Khordha district, triggering tension in the locality.
The deceased has been identified as Ajit Samantaray, also known as Dilu, of Upper Mota. He worked as an electrician. According to his family, he left home on the night of October 2 at around 8 pm and did not return. After an unsuccessful search, relatives lodged a missing-person complaint at Jankia police station on October 3.
On October 4, his body was found behind Mota Uparasahi High School. The body was in an advanced state of decomposition and emitting a foul smell. It was reportedly tied with wire to a small tree. Blood was seen coming from one ear, and there were marks on the face consistent with a blow from a stone, according to local accounts.
Jankia police station officer Chandrasekhar Jena reached the spot with a police team and recovered the body. A scientific team and sniffer dogs were deployed to examine the area. The body was sent to the Khordha government hospital for postmortem examination and was later handed over to the family.
Ajit’s father, Dhirendra Samantaray, subsequently filed a murder complaint at Jankia police station. In the complaint, the family alleged that Ajit was in a relationship with a young woman from the nearby village of Lahanga. They claimed that members of the woman’s family assaulted and killed him over the relationship and dumped the body in the school premises.
Police have registered a case (No. 600/26) at Jankia police station. Station officials said the exact cause of death will be determined only after the postmortem report is received, following which further legal action will be taken. The allegations remain under investigation and have not been independently confirmed.
The body was taken to the village, where last rites were performed at the local cremation ground amid a sombre atmosphere. Family members and villagers have demanded strict action against those responsible and justice for the deceased.
