Odisha: 90% burnt human body found in cashew forest, murder suspected

Jajpur: A partially charred human body was spotted today under mysterious circumstances in a cashew jungle near Rathapada Chhak under Tamka police limits of Jajpur district.

Identity of the deceased person has not been ascertained yet. Even to the extent, it has not been known whether it is the body of a man or woman.

According to a police source, some residents of a nearby village had gone to the forest early in the morning to attend nature’s call, when they noticed a body from which smoke was emitting.

Also Read: Minor girl death at box drain: Odisha Govt suspends 2 engineers for dereliction of duty

Later, the residents informed Tamka police about it. On being informed, Tamka police reached the spot and recovered the body. Police have launched a probe to ascertain the cause of death.

Circumstantial evidence suggests that it is a case of murder, a local policeman said.

“The person has over 90 percent burn injuries. Based on a written report of local ward member, we have registered a case (No-83/2023) in this connection. A team of cops led by Kalinganagar Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) has initiated the probe, which is underway. Help of a scientific team has been sought in this regard”, Tamka IIC Sukant Kumar Patra stated.

“The body appears to be that of a girl. A large dry tree, near which the body is lying, has been cut and used by the miscreants to burn the body. Foul smell of petrol was coming from the body. Thick smoke was seen when police reached the spot,” some locals expressed.

A cloth was seen tied around the face of the deceased, the locals added.