Phulbani (Kandhamala): A faith healer and his alleged accomplice were arrested on Tuesday for allegedly poisoning a childless couple to death in Kandhamala after passing off pesticide as a spiritual potion that would help them conceive, police said.
The accused were identified as Mithun Digal alias Anil Pradhan (42), a native of Kalanaju village under Raikia police limits, and Seetaya Kanhar (50) of Brudipada village under Gochhapada police limits. While Anil was arrested from Chennai, Seetaya was apprehended from Phulbani.
The arrests were made in connection with the deaths of Kanhu Kanhar (35) and his wife Lalita Kanhar (29), residents of Nedipanga village under Katringia panchayat within Gochhapada police limits.
Kandhamala SP Ramendra Prasad said the couple had been married for around 20 years but had no children. They allegedly approached Anil, believing that he could help them conceive.
According to police, Anil promised the couple a child and prescribed a potion and spiritual water, locally known as ‘Kata Pani’. He allegedly collected around Rs 30,000 from them initially and later obtained gold ornaments worth around Rs 1 lakh. Police said he sold the ornaments and used the money to purchase a scooter.
When the treatment failed to produce the promised result, Kanhu allegedly confronted Anil and demanded that his money be returned.
During the investigation, police also found that Anil had allegedly developed an illicit relationship with Lalita. Police suspect that the situation escalated after Lalita allegedly demanded that he marry her, following which Anil plotted to eliminate the couple.
Investigators said Anil purchased pesticide from a shop in Phulbani on August 12. He allegedly gave around 250 ml of the poisonous substance to the couple, claiming that it was a spiritual remedy. The couple consumed the liquid on August 23.
Lalita died on August 24, while Kanhu died the following day after initially returning home. Before his death, Kanhu reportedly identified Anil as the person who had given them the liquid, police said.
Following the deaths, Anil allegedly switched off his mobile phone and fled to Chennai. Police said Seetaya helped him evade arrest by providing money, clothes and shelter.
Police also found that Anil has two pending cases under the NDPS Act at the Prohibition Enforcement Wing police station in Gummidipoondi, Tamil Nadu. He had allegedly absconded in those cases, changed his identity and later settled in Phulbani.
Police have seized a scooter, four mobile phones and the bottle allegedly containing the poisonous substance.
Both accused were produced before a court and remanded in judicial custody.
Further investigation is underway.
