Jharaphula stayed at hotel in Bhubaneswar with ‘lover’ on Jan 26 !

Bhubaneswar: Jharaphula Nayak and Rakesh Swain, who was nabbed by the Commissionerate Police yesterday in connection with former’s death case, were in love relationship. The accused has reportedly confessed this before police.

Sources said Jharaphula, a student of RD University here, had returned to her house at Jashipur village in Mayurbhanj due to COVID-19 lockdown. And she developed a love love relationship with Rakesh, who was engaged in laying of underground pipes at the village during the period. Ever since,  whenever Jharaphula comes to Bhubaneswar, she hangs out with Rakesh.

Yesterday, her father Ramakant  stated that she went to Bhubaneswar on January 24 on the pretext of attending the birthday function of Chakradhar Sir, who is reportedly her local guardian . The event was held on January 25.

“On January 26 at around 11 am, Chakradhar dropped her at Jaydev Vihar square, where she boarded a private bus to return to the village. However, she alighted from the vehicle near Vani Vihar after complaining of stomach ache and informed me that she would board the next bus. Later around 3 pm, she told me that she stayed at her friend’s house due to the ailment. However, she didn’t answer any phone call during the whole night,” Ramakant had stated. He also  alleged involvement of a youth in the case claiming him as her daughter’s lover.

On the other hand,  Rakesh after being arrested yesterday confessed that on January 26 morning, Jharaphula boarded a bus to Jashipur from Jaydev Vihar but later alighted at Vani Vihar Square. She later walked to Rupali Square, where Rakesh was waiting for her on a scooter. After that, they checked in a hotel and spent the night there. Rakesh confessed that both got into a physical relationship. The next morning, Rakesh found her in an unconscious state and got panicked.

He immediately called up his friend Shekhar, who reached the spot and both took her on a two-wheeler in unconscious condition. Midway, after realizing that she had died, the two dumped her body near Kuakhia in Jajpur.

Meanwhile, Shekhar, who was riding the two-wheeler, is absconding. Search is underway to nab him.

Last night,  a team of Jajpur Police along with a Special Squad of Commissionerate Police raided a place in Sundarpada area and nabbed Rakesh Swain for questioning. Later, he was arrested and handed over to Jajpur police for interrogation in connection with the incident.