Autopsy of Odisha youths found hanging today

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Rayagada, Oct 9:

The bodies of the three persons, who were found hanging from a ‘mahua’ tree near a paddy field in Ambadola village under Muniguda block of the district yesterday, were sent for post-mortem today.

As per reports, the youths were found hanging from the tree near a mosque along Ambadola-Bhawanipatna road. The local villagers, who found the bodies hanging with faces covered with clothes at around 3 pm yesterday, informed the police about it.

The deceased were identified as Jaga Patra, Alok Kumar and Radhika Maguli, all residents of Ambadola village. The bodies of the trio were removed from the tree and sent for autopsy in the presence of the family members of the deceased this morning.

Notably, an FIR had been filed a month ago that Radhika, daughter of Ratilal Manguli of Kalahandi Pada in Ambadola, had eloped with Jaga, son of Laba Patra. It was presumed to be a case of love affair. But the discovery of the body of Alok, son of Daud Kumar, along with the other two, has fanned speculation of honour killing.

Half-emptied beer bottles, boiled eggs, water bottles, used ‘khaini’ packets were recovered from the spot. Speculations apart, it is not yet clear whether it is a case of suicide or that of honour killing.

The police have launched an intense investigation into the case to unravel the mystery. “We are yet to ascertain the reason behind the deaths. It would be premature to say in anything specific as investigations are on,” Muniguda SDPO Ananta Mallick said.