Bhubaneswar: The 21-year-old youth was allegedly found hanging at his residence at Nimidha village in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district on Friday.
The deceased has been identified as Benupani Sahu.
According to sources, he had eloped with a 13-year-old girl from Samakoi village in Angul district earlier this month. The girl’s family lodged a complaint at Angul Sadar police station on April 8, alleging that she had been missing since the evening of April 1. Following which a case was registered under Section 137(2) BNS pertaining to kidnapping and Benupani’s parents and his two friends were called for questioning. On April 22, Benupani’s mother, Ashanti Sahoo (47), went to Angul Sadar police station and was provided overnight shelter at a safe location due to the late hours.
After returning to the village from Mumbai last night after hearing the news, Benupani went to the police station, where he was asked to hand over the girl. He returned home and later died by suicide by hanging, possibly fearing arrest and social stigma associated with the police case.
Family members and villagers claimed that he was deeply disturbed by the police action. The girl is reportedly at his house in the village
Motanga police have reached the spot and launched an investigation.
