Wife of Deceased Odia Rapper Arrested in Bengaluru Suicide Case
In a significant development in a case that has spanned nearly ten months, the Lalbagh police in Bengaluru have made an arrest concerning the death of Odia rapper Abhinav Singh. Utkal Deepika Rout, the wife of the deceased, was apprehended on Wednesday from her residence in Bhubaneswar. The arrest comes after a prolonged investigation that relied heavily on digital evidence.
The Tragic Discovery and Initial Allegations
The case began on February 9, when Abhinav Singh, a 32-year-old software professional and emerging Odia rapper, was found dead in his rented apartment in Bengaluru. His death sent shockwaves through his community and fanbase. Shortly after the tragedy, Singh's family pointed fingers at his wife, Utkal Deepika Rout, alleging she was responsible for his demise.
Acting on these allegations, Singh's father, Bijay Nanda Singh, filed a formal complaint with the Lalbagh police on February 12. This official complaint triggered a detailed probe, which was conducted in coordination with the Bengaluru police.
A Technically Intensive Investigation
When questioned about the reason for the lengthy investigation, IIC Sudhansu Jena of the Lalbagh police station provided crucial insights. He explained that the delay was primarily due to extensive IT-related exercises necessary to build a solid case. "The investigation took time due to a lot of IT-related exercises, including email tracking and retrieving digital communication," Jena stated.
He further elaborated that investigators had to wait for responses from multiple technology companies. "We had to wait for responses from multiple companies. Once we received the data, we found substantial evidence that established her abetment," the IIC confirmed. During this period, Rout had been questioned by the police on multiple occasions and was under discreet surveillance for several weeks.
The Arrest and Future Proceedings
The coordinated operation that led to Rout's arrest marks a pivotal moment in this heartbreaking case. The digital evidence retrieved by investigators was deemed substantial enough to proceed with the arrest on charges of abetment to suicide. This development brings a new chapter to the story of Abhinav Singh, who was not only an IT professional but had also carved out a niche for himself as a promising Odia rapper, earning recognition and admiration from the youth.
The case highlights the increasing role of digital forensics in modern criminal investigations and brings a sense of procedural closure to the initial phase, though the legal process is yet to unfold.
