Missing Couple Found Dead In Odisha’s Kalahandi Hill

Bhubaneswar: Tension ran high in Odisha’s Kalahandi district on Thursday morning after the bodies of a young missing couple were found hanging from a tree atop the Dangar Tangari hill near Behera, under the jurisdiction of the Koksara police station.

The deceased were identified as Ajit Nayak of Dengaguda (Tengapali) village and Priyadarshini Nayak of Kendumundipada village under the Dharamgarh police division.

According to local sources, the duo had been missing since the night of October 17. Unable to locate them, their respective families had filed separate missing person complaints at the Koksara and Dharamgarh police stations.

The tragedy came to light on Thursday morning when villagers who had gone to the hill to collect firewood spotted the bodies hanging from a tree and alerted local authorities. As the news spread, hundreds of villagers gathered at the spot.

Police personnel from Dharamgarh and Koksara, led by Kalahandi Superintendent of Police (SP) Nagaraj Devarakonda, rushed to the scene to initiate an investigation.

While initial appearances suggested suicide, the circumstances of the discovery raised severe suspicion. The bodies bore bloodstains, and the hands and legs of both victims were found tied.

Furthermore, family members of the deceased boy alleged that the couple was murdered by the girl’s relatives, who opposed their relationship, and that the bodies were subsequently hanged to stage the scene as a suicide.

“Soon after Ajit and Priyadarshini went missing, the girl’s family members and relatives came to us claiming the couple had met with an accident. They strongly disapproved of their relationship. We suspect they have fallen victim to honour killing,” alleged Ajit’s family members.

Police have seized the bodies and sent them for post-mortem examination. Officials confirmed that one suspect has been detained for questioning as the investigation into the alleged double homicide continues.