A man was arrested for allegedly orchestrating the murder of a 23-year-old woman from Jagatsinghpur district a day after her engagement by using a hired killer, police said on Thursday.
Incident Details
The victim had gone missing on Monday evening after leaving home to visit a friend. Her body was found dumped in a field near the village on Tuesday evening, police said. After an unsuccessful search, her father lodged a missing person report at Jagatsinghpur police station on Tuesday. Following the recovery of the body bearing injury marks, he filed an FIR alleging that his daughter was murdered by a person opposed to her marriage.
Investigation and Arrest
SP (Jagatsinghpur) Ankit Kumar Verma said investigation and post-mortem findings indicated the involvement of two persons — the prime accused and a hired killer. “Based on technical evidence and local inputs, the role of Suryakanta Swain (30) was established,” the SP said. Police tracked Swain to Jamshedpur using technical surveillance and arrested him on Wednesday. According to police, the accused has confessed to his role in the crime. The hired killer is yet to be arrested.
Background of the Accused
Investigators said Swain, a married man with a son, had been acquainted with the victim since 2016. The two were allegedly in a relationship, but the woman distanced herself after learning about his marital status. Police said disputes followed, and the victim had earlier lodged a complaint against Swain at Jagatsinghpur police station in December 2024, leading to his arrest. He was later released on bail following a compromise.
Motive and Conspiracy
“The accused became enraged when he came to know about her engagement and marriage talks with another person,” the SP said, adding that the victim’s engagement ceremony was held on Sunday and her marriage was fixed for May 10. Police said Swain allegedly hatched a conspiracy with a hired killer, agreeing to pay Rs 2 lakh for the murder and giving Rs 20,000 as advance. Both allegedly travelled from Jamshedpur to Jagatsinghpur on April 18 and stayed at a lodge.
On April 20, police said, the accused allegedly contacted the victim and persuaded her to meet him near an isolated area on the outskirts of the village on the pretext of bidding her farewell before returning to Jamshedpur. The crime was allegedly carried out there later that evening.
Police Response
Police claimed they cracked the case within 24 hours. “Manhunt is on for the second accused,” the SP said.
