Bhubaneswar: The beheaded body of a young woman found on outskirts of the Capital City on February 4 had left the Twin City police in a tizzy. However, with concerted efforts, the cops were able to crack the rarest of the rare murder mystery in less than a week.
The deceased woman was identified as Puspalata Roul, the 27-year-old daughter of Minati Patra. She was a native of Ganjam district but her family had migrated to Bhubaneswar and were living in Dhirikuta slum of Mancheswar since Puspalata’s birth.
The victim, in this case, was married to one Sarat Roul but the duo had differences and Puspalata had developed feelings towards their tenant Sanjay Das alias Angad. Subsequently, it was Sanjay who killed Puspalata on February 3, 2021.
It was after Sarat’s death, Minati asked Puspalata to leave her house and stay with Sanjay. Apparently, she was irked with the irresponsible attitude of Puspalata towards her daughter.
The duo decided to shift to Phuleswari slum in Patrapada and live together. However, in course of time, Puspalata got married to another man Pritiranjan Pati in a small ceremony at Chakeisiani on December 24, 2020.
Five days later, on December 29, she left her husband and came back to Sanjay’s home. According to reports, she had differences with Pritiranjan because of the latter’s addiction to alcohol.
But on this occasion, Sanjay did not accept her and the two had a fierce argument over Puspalata’s marriage with Pritiranjan. The scuffle turned violent and Sanjay allegedly killed Puspalata by choking her.
Perturbed by the course of events, Sanjay sought the help of his friend Srikant Das alias Changu. Both Sanjay and Srikant belong to Daspalla in Nayagarh district. While Sanjay owns and drives an SUV (Bolero), Srikant works as a mason in the Capital City.
The duo decided to dispose of Puspalata’s body in a deserted spot on city outskirts. Prior to this, they consumed alcohol in excess near Aiginia square. The two ferried Puspalata’s body to Andharua and abandoned it during midnight.
Sanjay’s vehicle was used for transporting the body. In a bid to destroy identity, they severed her head and disposed it in bushes on their way back. Surgical knife and gloves were sed for this heinous act were recovered by the police on February 4.
The same day, Srikant and Sanjay escaped to their native in Daspalla.
As the police intensified its efforts to identify the deceased headless woman, the matter struck Puspalata’s second husband Pritiranjan. He asked Minati to apprise the police about Puspalata.
On the basis of the information provided by Minati, police launched a search for Sanjay who was held from Daspalla along with his associate Srikant.
“Sanjay narrated the whole matter and confessed to having murdered Puspalata. He admitted, with the help of Srikant, the duo severed her head and disposed the head and torse at different locations on the intervening night of February 3 and 4,” a senior police official said.
Police have seized the SUV used in the crime, and Puspalata’s mobile phone from the possession of the accused. They will be produced in the court on Friday and the police is likely to seek their remand for furthering probe, said sources.
Meanwhile, the body and head of the deceased have been sent to AIIMS where a reconstructive procedure will be performed. Following this, DNA sampling and other forensic tests will be carried out. “The case was difficult a tough one and the clues were limited. Solving this murder case is a major success for Bhubaneswar Urban Police District,” Police Commissioner Sudhanshu Sarangi said today.
