Sundargarh: A 43-year-old man was found murdered in the Raidiha jungle under Lephripara police station limits in Sundargarh district on Saturday, with preliminary investigations pointing to a gambling dispute as the likely motive.
The deceased has been identified as Rankanidhi Oram, also known as Anand, a resident of the Hemgir police station area.
According to family sources, Anand had left home on Friday evening but failed to return. Concerned over his absence, relatives were searching for him when they were alerted to the discovery of a body in the nearby jungle.
Upon receiving information, Lephripara police rushed to the spot and recovered the body. Preliminary investigations suggest that Anand was likely killed on Saturday morning.
At the scene, police found a motorcycle, a mat, a pack of playing cards, and a helmet, leading them to believe that the murder may have occurred during or after a gambling session. The circumstances suggest a possible altercation or dispute among individuals involved in the game.
The body has been sent for post-mortem examination, and a scientific team, along with a sniffer dog squad, has joined the investigation to gather forensic evidence.
Speaking to the media, Sundargarh Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Nirmal Mahapatra confirmed that while the motive appears to be linked to gambling, the identity of the perpetrator(s) remains unknown, and efforts are underway to trace those responsible.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, as police intensify their probe to bring the culprits to justice.
