Baripada (Mayurbhanj): Police have arrested a man in connection with the alleged rape and murder of a 39-year-old married woman under Betanati police station limits in Mayurbhanj district, officials said on Sunday.
The accused has been identified as Jitendra Mahant (35), a resident of Garudabasa village under Betanati police limits.
According to Additional Superintendent of Police Deepak Kumar Gochhayat, the case was registered after the victim’s husband lodged a complaint alleging that his wife had been murdered under suspicious circumstances. Acting on the complaint, Betanati Police registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Section 103 (murder), along with provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act (Case No. 272/26).
Preliminary investigation suggests that the deceased had gone to Baripada market on Saturday along with her male acquaintance, Jitendra. Police said the two were reportedly known to each other and had travelled together for shopping.
Gochhayat stated that the woman did not return home for several hours, after which her family attempted to contact her repeatedly but received no response. Later that night, she was taken to the District Headquarters Hospital (DHH), Baripada, in a critical condition, where doctors declared her dead.
During the preliminary examination, doctors reportedly found severe injuries and excessive bleeding. Police have also indicated that further details regarding the cause of death will be confirmed after the post-mortem examination report is received.
Meanwhile, based on the complaint filed by the victim’s husband alleging sexual assault and murder, police have registered a rape and murder case and intensified the investigation. The accused, Jitendra, has been arrested.
Police said the investigation is ongoing and further action will be taken based on forensic and medical reports.
