Rourkela Police Crack 2.5-Year-Old Murder Case, Two Arrested

Rourkela: Rourkela Police has cracked a murder case that had remained unsolved for nearly two-and-a-half years, with the arrest of two persons in connection with the killing of Mangal Oram of Jamberna village under Bisra block.

According to police, Oram had gone to the weekly market at Jhirpani on February 28, 2024, in his Mahindra pick-up vehicle bearing registration number OD-14-Q-3648. He subsequently went missing, following which an investigation was launched.

A few days later, an unidentified body was recovered from a water-filled agricultural field at Kharwagada under Jaldega Police Station in Simdega district of Jharkhand. After the deceased was identified as Oram, Jhirpani Police registered a murder case on March 8, 2024, under Sections 364, 379 and 302 of the IPC in connection with GR No. 341/24.

Following a prolonged investigation, police arrested Rahul alias Sardhan Sharma, 48, and Ajay Patra, 33. Investigators reportedly found that the two had hired Oram’s pick-up from Jhirpani market around 10:30 am on the day of the incident, claiming that they needed the vehicle to transport goods.

Police said the accused later offered Oram tea allegedly laced with strong sleeping pills near KTH Chhak. After he became unconscious, they reportedly drove the vehicle towards Jharkhand with Oram inside.

The victim was allegedly taken to the Kharwagada area of Jaldega and thrown into a waterlogged agricultural field. Police suspect that he subsequently drowned and died. The accused allegedly escaped with the pick-up vehicle and later sold it for Rs 1.70 lakh.

The stolen vehicle has since been recovered by the police as part of the investigation.

Police further stated that both arrested suspects have previous criminal records involving theft and robbery. Investigators are now examining whether other individuals were involved in the crime and are also working to trace other vehicles allegedly stolen by the accused.

Rourkela Police said it would continue its efforts to investigate long-pending serious crimes and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice, regardless of how much time has passed.