Bhubaneswar: The search for missing woman constable Shubhamitra Sahu ended in tragedy on Wednesday after her decomposed body was discovered buried in a pit in a jungle near Ghatagaon in Keonjhar district. The body, packed inside a sack, was exhumed from the pit using an earth-moving machine in the presence of a magistrate.
Police Commissioner S. Dev Datta Singh confirmed that Shubhamitra, who was last seen on September 6 after returning to her rented accommodation from duty at the DCP office, had been missing since September 7. Her father lodged a missing complaint at Capital Police Station when she remained untraceable for two days.
Investigations led police to suspect her colleague and boyfriend, Deepak Rout, who was the last person in contact with her. Following interrogation and evidence gathering, Rout confessed to strangling Shubhamitra in Bhubaneswar, transporting her body to Keonjhar, and dumping it in the jungle.
Police sources revealed that Rout had borrowed ₹10 lakh from Shubhamitra, sparking disputes over repayment. They also suspect her ₹1 crore insurance policy may have been an additional motive for the crime. Police are investigating whether Rout acted alone or was assisted in disposing of the body.
The Commissionerate Police have seized the car used in the crime. Rout remains in custody while a detailed probe continues.
