Bhubaneswar lady constable murder: Accused Deepak’s past marriage under scanner, foul play claims mount

The murder of Bhubaneswar traffic constable Shubhamitra Sahu has taken a new turn after revelations about the accused, Deepak Rout, and his past marital history.

Deepak, who was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly killing Shubhamitra earlier this month, had previously been married to Aparna Priyadarshini of Tilapada village in Dhenkanal district, informed sources.

Aparna, who worked as a Revenue Inspector at Kandarsingh under Parjang, reportedly died in a road accident in March 2022, but her family now alleges foul play.

Allegations Of A Staged Accident

According to Aparna’s relatives, Deepak had married her in April 2018 through a love marriage. In March 2022, he informed them that she had died in an accident near Khuntuni while returning from Bhubaneswar to Dhenkanal.

However, the family has now accused Deepak of orchestrating the accident to make it look like a natural death. They further alleged that he received insurance compensation worth around Rs 1 crore following Aparna’s death.

With the latest case involving Shubhamitra coming to light, her family has demanded that the circumstances of Aparna’s death also be reinvestigated by the police.

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Shubhamitra’s Murder And Disposal Of The Body

Deepak, who worked as a clerk at the Twin City Police Commissioner’s Office, has already confessed to murdering constable Shubhamitra Sahu on September 6.

Police said he strangled her near Raj Bhawan Square in Bhubaneswar, before moving her body to a dispensary where she was declared critical and later succumbed.

Later that evening, Deepak allegedly transported the body to Keonjhar district with the help of accomplices. The remains were buried in a forest stretch near Ghatagaon. The case remained a mystery for 12 days until police traced his movements through CCTV and toll gate footage, which revealed his journey towards Keonjhar on the day of her disappearance.

Police Recovery And Recreation Of Crime Scene

In a dramatic development, Commissionerate Police exhumed Shubhamitra’s body from the Ghatagaon forest on Wednesday under the supervision of a magistrate. The body was found stuffed into a sack and buried underground, confirming the confessions made by the accused.

Deepak was taken to both crime scenes, in Bhubaneswar and Keonjhar, for a detailed re-enactment of the crime.

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Investigators are also examining his financial transactions after reports emerged that he had taken out an insurance policy in Shubhamitra’s name and had allegedly given her around Rs 20 lakh before marriage.