Rourkela: Rourkela Police has solved a two-and-a-half-year-old undetected murder case registered at Jhirpani Police Station. The case relates to the murder of Mangal Oram of Jamberna under Bisra block. He had gone to Jhirpani weekly market on February 28, 2024 with his Mahindra pick-up (OD-14-Q-3648) and went missing.
His unidentified body was later recovered from a waterlogged agricultural field at Kharwagada under Jaldega police station in Jharkhand’s Simdega district. After identification, a murder case was registered at Jhirpani Police Station on March 8, 2024 under Sections 364, 379 and 302 IPC (GR No. 341/24). After sustained investigation, police have arrested Rahul alias Sardhan Sharma (48) and Ajay Patra (33).
Investigation revealed that on February 28, 2024 at about 10:30 am, the accused hired Mangal Oram’s vehicle from Jhirpani market on the pretext of transporting goods. They allegedly gave him tea mixed with high-power sleeping pills near KTH Chhak and after he became unconscious, took him along with the vehicle towards Jharkhand.
The victim was allegedly thrown into a waterlogged field near Kharwagada in Jaldega, where he died due to drowning. The accused then fled with the pick-up and allegedly sold it for Rs 1.70 lakh. The stolen vehicle has now been recovered.
Police said the arrested accused have multiple criminal antecedents involving theft and robbery. Further investigation is underway regarding involvement of other persons and recovery of other stolen vehicles.
“Rourkela Police remains committed to relentlessly pursuing undetected serious crimes and bringing offenders to justice, irrespective of the passage of time,” police said.
