Balasore Paralysed Widow’s Rape, Murder Accused Held From Mayurbhanj

Balasore: The accused in the rape and murder of a paralysed widow, whose body was found from a field near Kuamara on Soro-Anantapur road in Balasore district yesterday, was arrested from Mayurbhanj district on Thursday.

Laxmi Barik (50), the widow of Mahendra Mahakud of Barapur village under Basudevpur block of Bhadrak district was staying with her brother Bijay Barik at Julingia village in Soro block of Balasore district for the last eight years.

As she was suffering from paralysis, Laxmi was unable to do any work. She had gone missing on the night of June 23 when she was returning home after watching television from a neighbour’s house. Her brother Bijay had also lodged a complaint in this regard at Anantapur Police Out Post.

However, villagers found her body yesterday afternoon and reported the matter to Soro Police. Bijay alleged that she has been raped and murdered by an youth from Patapur village under Khandapada police limits of the district who is a tractor driver.

Based on the complaint, Soro Police constituted a team and launched a manhunt of the accused. Finally, the accused identified as Bhagia Singh was caught from Bhangachatu village in Mayurbhanj district. He has admitted to committing the crime.