Bhubaneswar: The police cracked the murder case of an MBA girl in Odisha’s Sundargarh district by arresting the accused today.

The police arrested accused Raju Nag from Jaarumal forest in Sundargarh, said Rajgangpur Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Abhishek Panigrahi.

The accused was on the run after he stabbed Lipsa Kerketa (25) and her male friend Pratap Lakra (26) to death at Kashipada village under Kutra police limits in Sundargarh on July 14.

According to police, Raju, a car driver, had developed a relationship with Lipsa around four years ago. However, Lipsa started ignoring Raju after she pursued MBA degree in a private college in Rourkela.

Lipsa’s closeness with his classmate Pratap caused suspicion in Raju’s mind. Accused Raju has admitted that he killed Lipsa and Pratap by suspecting a relationship between them, said the SDPO.

After interrogating the accused, the police have seized a knife and blood-stained clothes, which he had hidden at different places after committing the crime.

Raju had entered Lipsa’s house at Kashipada at around 10 pm on July 14 and picked an argument with her. He then attacked Lipsa with a knife, inflicting grievous injuries on her neck, back and hand.

The accused stabbed Pratap, who stayed back at Lipsa’s home after their MBA exam, when he tried to save her, said police.

Accused Raju had also attacked Lipsa’s parents—John and Mary Sushma Kerketa—before fleeing the spot.

Lipsa and Pratap were rushed to Kutra Community Health Centre (CHC) in a critical condition. Lipsa was declared dead on arrival and Pratap succumbed to his injuries while being shifted to Rourkela.