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The mysterious disappearance and subsequent murder of Bhubaneswar traffic constable Shubhamitra Sahu sent shockwaves across Odisha. From her sudden disappearance over two weeks ago to her dead body being retrieved from Keonjhar yesterday, the case has revealed a chilling narrative of betrayal, premeditated murder, and alleged financial motive.
At the centre of these events stands Deepak Rout, a clerk posted at the Twin City Commissioner’s Office. He allegedly married Shubhamitra in a court, sometime before her disappearance. Then, on September 6, he allegedly strangled her to death in Bhubaneswar and dumped her body in Keonjhar. However, his motive was not revenge but insurance money.
Here is a detailed timeline of the events and key developments in the case as they happened:
September 6: Constable Goes Missing
Shubhamitra Sahu, 25, posted with the Bhubaneswar traffic police, was last seen on September 6, after completing her duty in the Surya Nagar area under Capital Police limits. She did not return home that evening. Her mobile phone was left at her rented residence, and the family, hailing from Paradip, lodged a missing person complaint with the Capital Police.
Police immediately began investigations, collecting Call Detail Records (CDR) and seeking information from shift supervisors. Despite active searches, Shubhamitra remained untraceable.
September 12–13: Mystery Deepens
By September 12, a week had passed with no leads. The Commissionerate Police released her photograph on social media, urging the public to provide any information.
A cash reward of Rs 25,000 was announced for credible tips. Her father personally met the Twin City Police Commissioner, S Dev Datta Singh, pressing for accelerated action.
Authorities monitored shift charts and informed senior officials, including the ACP and IIC. Despite growing public concern, the police had yet to confirm progress in locating her.
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September 17, Early Morning: Clerk Detained
The investigation took a dramatic turn on September 17, when Deepak Rout, a clerk at the Bhubaneswar Police Commissioner’s Office, was detained. Evidence surfaced showing Rout had travelled with Shubhamitra in a car towards Keonjhar’s Tarini temple. CCTV and toll gate footage corroborated his movements, marking him as the prime suspect.
September 17, Morning: Body Recovered
Later that day, a woman’s body was found near Ghatagaon in Keonjhar. Police, along with a scientific team, exhumed the remains, which had been stuffed into a sack and buried underground. While formal identification was pending, sources indicated the body was likely of Shubhamitra’s.
Investigators immediately focused on Deepak Rout, who was reportedly in a personal relationship with the victim. He was brought to the crime scenes in Bhubaneswar and Keonjhar for re-enactment. Two accomplices assisting in transporting and burying the body were also detained.
September 17, Afternoon: Murder Confirmed
Police later confirmed that Rout had strangled Shubhamitra near Raj Bhawan Square in Bhubaneswar. Following the killing, he allegedly took her to a dispensary, where she was declared critical and subsequently died. He then transported her body to Keonjhar and buried it in a forested area near Ghatagaon.
Authorities suspect the murder was linked to financial disputes, including a Rs 1 crore insurance policy taken in Shubhamitra’s name and approximately Rs 10 lakh she had lent to Rout. The couple had legally married in July 2024, but tensions over finances reportedly escalated into a deadly quarrel.
“I just want justice. Nothing can bring my sister back, but I want everyone who was involved to be punished,” said Shubhamitra’s brother.
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September 17, Late Afternoon: Investigation Ongoing
Commissioner S Dev Datta Singh confirmed the financial motive behind the murder and stated that polygraph tests had been conducted on Rout. While evidence points to him acting alone, police continue to investigate unanswered questions, including the reasons for transporting the victim’s body over long distances.
“We have conducted the polygraph test of the accused Deepak Rout. Shubhamitra had lent around Rs 10 lakh to Deepak. Tension arose after she asked him to return her money to solemnise their marriage through a social function. The two had fights over this issue. Evidences prove that Deepak killed Shubhamitra over this issue,” Commissioner Singh told mediapersons.
The exhumation of Shubhamitra’s body, reconstruction of crime scenes, and interrogation of the accused mark significant progress in a case that has gripped public attention across Odisha. Authorities have assured that the investigation will be pursued thoroughly, ensuring justice for the slain constable and her family.
