Suspicion surrounds the death of 29‑year‑old Khageswar Parua of Cheliapada village, Jharsuguda district, who was found hanging from a tree near the village kirtan mandap late Sunday night.
Police are investigating whether the incident was a suicide or if foul play was involved.
According to reports, Khageswar had attended Rath Yatra festivities at Dhuruadihi village earlier in the day and returned home in the evening. Around 8 pm, he left his house again but did not return. His family began searching and eventually discovered his body hanging from a tree.
Bagdihi police outpost personnel, along with a scientific team from Jharsuguda, reached the spot, collected forensic evidence, and sent the body for postmortem. The body was later handed over to the family.
The circumstances have raised questions, as the rope was tied around his neck but the lower part of his body was reportedly touching the ground. This detail has fueled speculation about whether the death was self‑inflicted or staged.
Police have registered an unnatural death case and stated that the exact cause will be determined after the postmortem and forensic analysis.
