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Murder Investigation in Kalahandi District

Bhawanipatna: In a shocking incident in Odisha's Kalahandi district, a 60-year-old man was reportedly murdered due to suspicions of witchcraft, according to police reports on Tuesday.

Authorities have apprehended four individuals believed to be connected to the crime.

The victim, identified as Raghu Patra from Kandama village in the Lanjigarh block, had been missing since July 30.

Following a missing person report filed by Raghu's family, the Biswanathpur police initiated an investigation, leading to the discovery of his body on Monday.

His remains were located on the railway tracks near Dahikhal in the adjacent Rayagada district. Initially, the body was sent to the Government Railway Police (GRP) station in Rayagada as it was unidentified at that time.

Upon receiving the body, the Biswanathpur police conducted an investigation with the assistance of a sniffer dog and a scientific team in the village, resulting in the detention of two suspects, Naresh Dora and Sunai Harijan.

During questioning, Naresh confessed to the crime, implicating his accomplices.

Naresh, along with Sunai, Pradeep Harijan, and Bhola Dora, allegedly confronted Raghu, killed him, and disposed of his body on the railway tracks near Dahikhal station.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Naresh's father had passed away a month prior, leading the family to believe that Raghu had used black magic to cause his death. This suspicion prompted Naresh to monitor Raghu's activities closely.

Inspector Tulsiram Sabar, in charge of the Biswanathpur police station, confirmed that the four suspects have been arrested and presented to the court, with further investigations ongoing.