Jagatsinghpur: In a significant development in the case of the murder of an engaged woman at Pakanpur on the outskirts of Odisha's Jagatsinghpur town, police have detained the prime accused, believed to be the deceased’s lover, from Jamshedpur. The woman, Sasmita Das, had recently gotten engaged.

Police suspect that the murder was driven by a strained relationship and financial disputes. Investigators are hopeful that further interrogation of the accused will reveal the complete sequence of events.

Relationship and Financial Angle Under Scanner

Family members told police that Sasmita had been in a close relationship with the accused for the past five years. The accused had reportedly purchased land near her house and constructed a building, promising to transfer ownership in her name.

The family has alleged that Sasmita had taken loans worth several lakhs of rupees and handed the money to the accused for construction. However, the police investigation suggests that some money belonging to the accused was deposited in Sasmita’s bank account. Before her engagement, the accused allegedly wanted that money returned, leading to a dispute between them.

Police believe this financial conflict may have been a major motive behind the murder.

Timeline of the Crime

Police have confirmed that the murder took place on April 20. On the night of the incident, between 8 pm and 8:30 pm, Sasmita was speaking on her phone before leaving home. Family members reported that she was involved in a heated argument during the call.

Call Detail Records (CDR) have revealed that the number she was speaking to belonged to the accused. The exact cause of the argument is still under investigation.

Police suspect that the accused had called Sasmita to the market that night. He allegedly took her on a motorcycle to a secluded area and murdered her.

Post-Mortem

After the post-mortem, the body has been handed over to the family. Cops are awaiting medical reports to determine whether sexual assault occurred before the murder.

Based on a complaint filed by the woman’s father, Pramod Das, police have registered a murder case and intensified the investigation.

Background

Sasmita had been engaged just a day before the incident, on April 19, at a temple in Dhuanpari village, her maternal uncle’s place. On the morning of April 20, the accused had reportedly dropped her home. Later that evening, she left the house but did not return.

Her body was found later that day in a field in the locality.

Police said further details will emerge once the accused is thoroughly interrogated.