Sambalpur: Sambalpur police have arrested two persons and seized crucial evidence—including a knife, surgical blades, and mobile phones—in connection with the brutal murder of Hirakud youth Abhaya Das, whose body was found on Lakshmi Dunguri hill on Tuesday. A third accused, Soni Bibhar of Stationpada, is currently absconding.
Announcing the breakthrough at a press conference on Wednesday, Additional Superintendent of Police Ajay Kumar Mishra said the arrested persons include the prime accused, 23-year-old Ashutosh Mishra of Binika in Sonepur district, and his 17-year-old minor girlfriend. According to police, the duo, along with Soni, conspired to kill Abhaya over a love triangle that turned hostile.
Investigations revealed that the minor girl had been in a relationship with Abhaya two years ago while studying in Hirakud. After shifting to Sonepur College, she developed a new romantic relationship with Ashutosh. When Abhaya continued pursuing her, the couple allegedly decided to eliminate him.
On Monday afternoon, the girl called her former boyfriend to Lakshmi Dunguri hill, while Ashutosh and Soni waited to execute the plan. Police said the accused mixed intoxicants into an energy drink and made Abhaya consume it. Once he fell unconscious, they stabbed him more than 20 times using a knife and surgical blades, inflicting fatal injuries on his neck, chest, head, and hands. The body was dumped in bushes before the trio fled.
Ashutosh, who was doing an internship at a private hospital in Sambalpur, allegedly used his medical knowledge to plan the assault.
When Abhaya did not return home, his family began searching for him. Early Tuesday morning, they found his scooter and slippers near the hill. On climbing the hilltop, they discovered his blood-soaked body and immediately alerted police.
Following a complaint by Abhaya’s father, Raghunath Das, a murder case was registered at Khetrajpur police station.
Police have seized the murder weapons, mobile phones of the accused and the victim, and other materials used in the crime. Officers said the first vital clue emerged from the victim’s mobile phone.
Efforts are on to trace and arrest the absconding accused, Soni Bibhar. Responding to allegations that Soni was given a “supari” (contract) for the murder, Additional SP Mishra stated that the claim can be verified only after his arrest and interrogation.
Sadar SDPO Tofan Bag and Khetrajpur IIC Anil Pradhan were present at the briefing.
