The body of a man reported missing earlier this month was discovered in a pond in Odisha's Balangir district on Friday, sparking allegations of murder from his grieving family and leading to public protests.
Discovery and Identification
Local residents spotted the body floating in a pond near Patharchepa early on Friday morning and immediately alerted the authorities. A team from the Balangir police, assisted by fire service personnel, rushed to the scene and retrieved the body.
The deceased was identified as Bipin Mahaling, a resident of the Shantipara locality within Balangir Municipality. His identity was confirmed by his distraught family members. Mahaling is survived by his wife and a child.
Circumstances of Disappearance and Police Probe
According to reports, Mahaling went missing on January 5 after he dropped his child home from school. His motorcycle was later found abandoned near a shop on the Patharchepa road. Following his disappearance, his family lodged a formal missing person complaint at the Sadar police station.
Saroj Kumar Upadhyaya, the sub-divisional police officer of Balangir, stated that a police investigation has been initiated. The body was sent to Bhima Bhoi Medical College and Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
Police sources indicated that preliminary medical findings suggest death by drowning, with no external injury marks found on the body. Personal belongings, including a mobile phone, a pen, a sweater, and a scarf, were recovered from the deceased.
Family's Allegations and Public Outcry
Rejecting the preliminary findings, family members have strongly alleged that Mahaling was murdered and his body was dumped in the pond. They are demanding a thorough and impartial investigation into the case.
The situation escalated when residents of Santipara, joined by the family, blocked the Balangir-Patnagarh road with the body. They protested, demanding a swift investigation and adequate compensation for the bereaved family.
Police officials managed to pacify the crowd by assuring them of a proper investigation. The road blockade was cleared after approximately an hour.
Commenting on the allegations, SDPO Upadhyaya said, "Initial investigation has not uncovered strong evidence of foul play. The post-mortem report will provide clarity, and the investigation will proceed accordingly." The case remains under active investigation as authorities await the conclusive post-mortem report.
