Rayagada: A seven-year-old boy was allegedly kidnapped and murdered at Old Station Basti under Chatikona Panchayat in the Bissamcuttack police station limits of Rayagada district on Saturday. The prime suspect, who is the younger brother of the deceased boy’s father, has been detained for questioning.
The deceased has been identified as Rushi Gantayat.
According to reports, the child was abducted on the evening of March 6 by an unidentified person. Soon after he went missing, the family reportedly received a message from an unknown mobile number demanding Rs 4 lakh as ransom for the boy’s safe release. The message also warned the family not to inform the police or anyone else, threatening serious consequences if the demand was not met.
Following the message, the distressed family members and relatives began searching for the child in nearby areas. However, their search ended in tragedy late at night when the boy’s body was recovered from behind their old house.
Police said the accused allegedly slit the child’s throat before stuffing the body into a sack and dumping it behind the house.
After receiving information about the incident, Bissamcuttack police reached the spot, seized the body and sent it for post-mortem examination. A forensic team also visited the scene and collected evidence.
Rayagada Superintendent of Police said a case has been registered at Bissamcuttack police station as Case No. 39/2026 under Sections 140(1), 140(2) and 103(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Police have launched a detailed investigation to ascertain the exact circumstances and motive behind the murder.
