Baripada: Thakurmunda police in Mayurbhanj district have arrested two individuals in connection with the murder of Kanda Mahanta, whose half-burnt body was discovered at the Kendujiani weekly market two days ago.
The accused, identified as Ranjit Mahanta and Ghana Mahanta, hail from the same village, Jadbil, as the deceased.
Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Karanjia, Subrat Kumar, informed that the police conducted a crime scene reconstruction with the accused on Thursday and subsequently forwarded them to court.
According to the police investigation, Kanda had visited the Kendujiani weekly market and had partaken mutton and boiled gram sold by shopkeepers Ranjit and Ghana.
When Kanda refused to pay for the food, an argument ensued. In a fit of rage, the accused allegedly strangled Kanda to death.
Fearing the consequences of their actions, they attempted to destroy the evidence by burning Kanda’s body with straw at the market ground. However, they fled the scene, leaving the body partially burned.
Following the recovery of the half-burnt, unidentified body, Thakurmunda police launched an investigation, suspecting foul play.
A special team was formed under SDPO Subrat Kumar, and within 48 hours, the investigation led to the interrogation of multiple individuals. The accused, Ranjit and Ghana, confessed to committing the crime during questioning.
