Third Accused In Jharaphula ‘Mysterious’ Death Nabbed From Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: In a major breakthrough, Jajpur Police arrested Shakti Sekhar Swain, an aide of the key accused, in connection with the mysterious death of Rama Devi Women’s University student Jharaphula Nayak.

Sekhar, who had been absconding since January 27, was apprehended from Bhubaneswar. He had allegedly helped prime accused Rakesh Swain in dumping Jharaphula’s body, which was found on a roadside at Mulapala under Kuakhia police limits in Jajpur district on January 26.

According to police sources, Rakesh had killed the Plus III student by throttling her in a guest house in Bhubaneswar. He and his friend, Shakti Sekhar Swain, took the girl’s body on a scooter to Mulapala the next day and dumped it there to destroy evidence. Rakesh was arrested a few days after committing the crime and is currently lodged in a jail in Jajpur district.

On April 11, the Jajpur Police arrested Amaresh Rout, a resident of Sundarpada in Bhubaneswar, for his alleged involvement in the case.

Also Read: Jharaphula Murder: Odisha Police Arrests Another Accused On Conspiracy Charge

Jharaphula was a native of Marundeipasi village in Mayurbhanj district.

She had left for Bhubaneswar on January 24 to attend the birthday party on January 25. She boarded a bus at Jaydev Vihar Square the following day. She, however, got down from the bus at Vani Vihar. Jharaphula informed her father that she was not feeling well and would take the next bus. The family, however, was not able to contact her thereafter. 

The accused were identified through CCTV footage and her mobile call records, police sources said.

Also Read: Police Detain Prime Suspect In Jharaphula Death Case In Bhubaneswar