Balasore: A shocking murder case linked to an alleged extramarital affair has come to light in Odisha's Balasore district, with police arresting the prime accused from Maharashtra.

The deceased, identified as Birendra Behera of Jamuna village under Keshipur panchayat in Nilgiri block of Balasore, was initially reported missing after he went with his friend Biren Madhei to Kaptipada in Mayurbhanj district on May 31 for work as a dumper driver. Birendra's wife, Sabitri Behera, lodged a complaint at Berhampur police station as her husband didn't return home. 

During the probe, police uncovered a long-standing dispute between the deceased and the accused. Birendra and Biren were close friends, but their relationship soured after Birendra allegedly developed an illicit relationship with Biren's wife. The matter had earlier been brought before the village committee, where it was settled in the presence of local elders and the sarpanch. As part of the settlement, a penalty of Rs 50,000 was imposed.

Investigators suspect that the accused took Birendra to Kaptipada on the pretext of work to murder him.

Using mobile phone tracking, police traced Biren's location to Maharashtra and arrested him. During interrogation, the accused confessed to the crime and revealed the location where the body had been buried near his in-laws' house.

The accused was brought to Odisha for crime scene reconstruction as part of the investigation. Police are continuing their probe to ascertain the exact sequence of events and gather further evidence in the case.