Cuttack: The commissionerate police on Saturday arrested a 29-year-old Odisha Tax and Accounts Service (OTAS) trainee for allegedly abetting the suicide of Chandrika Hembram, a 28-year-old third-year MBBS student of Fakir Mohan Medical College and Hospital, Balasore.
Chandrika’s body was found from the sand bed of Kathajodi river near Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Setu under Barang police station limits in Cuttack on June 4.
The accused was identified as Bhimsen Prasad Tudu of Mayurbhanj district. Following an intensive investigation and a multi-state manhunt, police nabbed Tudu from his native place. He had initially fled to Jharkhand after a case was registered against him. The victim’s family had filed a police complaint following Chandrika’s death, alleging that Tudu had murdered her.
Chandrika’s family has rejected the suicide theory. Her mother, Hiramani Hembram, has accused Tudu of harassment and abetment, alleging that relationship issues, including his alleged involvement with another woman, had pushed Chandrika into severe emotional distress.
Police said Chandrika and Tudu had known each other since their college days and had studied together at Stewart Science College in Cuttack. The two were reportedly in a relationship for several years, but investigators found signs of growing discord between them in recent months. “The victim was a medical student. After examining the chats and considering information provided by family members, we found indications of continuing discord in the relationship,” DCP Cuttack Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo said.
“Digital evidence recovered from the victim’s mobile phone is being examined. Chandrika attempted to contact Tudu multiple times the day she died. She first called him from her own phone and later tried reaching him using another person’s mobile number. Both calls allegedly went unanswered,” the DCP added.
Police have seized Tudu’s laptop and tablet and are examining digital evidence, including information retrieved from WhatsApp chats. “Investigators have also collected CCTV footage and seized the victim’s mobile phone. The seized electronic devices have been sent to the State Forensic Science Laboratory, Bhubaneswar, for expert analysis,” the DCP said.
