Jharaphula Nayak death: What happened at room no 201

Bhubaneswar: Two days after arresting a youth in connection with the Jharaphula Nayak death case, the Jajpur police today sealed a Bhubaneswar-based hotel’s room where she and male friend, Rakesh Swain stayed on January 26 night.

A team of the Kuakhia Police searched room no- 201 of Shivasai Guest House located in Dharma Vihar, where Jharaphula and her male friend Rakesh stayed, for two hours.

Scientific team also collected evidence from the spot, following which the police sealed room no- 201. Also, the police personnel examined the hotel registry and CCTVs installed in its premises.

Worth mentioning, body of Jharaphula, a student of Rama Devi Women’s University, was found at Mulapala under Kuakhia police limits in Jajpur district on January 27.

Jharaphula, a resident of Mayurbhanj district, left for Bhubaneswar on January 24 on the pretext of attending the birthday function of Chakradhar, who was reportedly her local guardian. The event was held on January 25.

The girl’s father stated, “On January 26 at around 11 am, Chakradhar dropped Jharaphula at Jaydev Vihar square, where she boarded a private bus to return to the village. But she deboarded the bus near Vani Vihar after complaining of stomach ache and informed me that she would board the next bus.”

Later at around 3 pm, the girl told her father that she would stay at her friend’s house due to the stomach ache. But, she didn’t answer phone calls during the whole night on January 26,” her father stated.

On January 28, the Jajpur police in association with the Commissionerate Police raided a place in Sundarpada area in Bhubaneswar and arrested the girl’s male friend.

He was produced before the district court in Jajpur yesterday. The Kuakhia police prayed before the court for a five-day remand of the youth for interrogation. The court will hear the matter next on February 1. Rakesh has been sent to judicial custody.