Police arrested three men in connection with the brutal killing of an elderly woman in Saradaguda village under the Korukonda block of Malkangiri district.
The incident occurred after villagers suspected the woman, Padma Nayak, of practising witchcraft. Reports said villagers had earlier lost two members and believed sorcery was responsible. They called another witch doctor to perform rituals, who accused Padma of involvement. Enraged relatives of the deceased dragged her out of her house and beat her to death.
Following a complaint filed by her son Ganesh Nayak, Orkel (Balimela) police registered Case No. 157/26 on May 23, 2026. The investigation was supervised by Chitrakonda SDPO Pradosh Pradhan and Orkel IIC Dhiren Pattnayak. A scientific team visited the village to collect evidence.
Police later arrested three accused: Maheswar Pangi (26), Hari Pangi (20), and Harish Chandra Khul (29), all residents of Sharadaguda. They were produced in court after interrogation.
