Kandhamal Police accused of killing ‘ganja smuggler’, dumping body in forest

In a bone-chilling incident, the Kandhamal Police have been accused of killing a ‘ganja smuggler’ and dumping his body in a forest before fleeing with his money, contraband, and motorbike. The serious allegations have been brought by the deceased’s family against the Kandhamal police.

The deceased has been identified as Jyestha Bandaki of Beherapada village under Kantamal police limits in Boudh district.

According to sources, Jyestha was a ‘ganja smuggler’. On September 26, he along with his friend were smuggling contraband and liquor on his motorbike, when they were chased by Kandhamal Police.

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The cops reportedly mowed down their motorbike, leaving them seriously injured. While his friend managed to escape, Jyestha was caught and beaten up brutally by the cops, resulting in his death. Later, the cops dumped his body in the ghat and fled after seizing his money, contraband, and liquor that he was smuggling.

The matter came to the fore after his body was found in a ghat under Gochapada police limits in Kandhamal district.

“My brother had gone with his friend. From him, we came to know that the cops on duty chased them and hit their vehicle. When they fell down, the cops attacked my brother while his friend managed to escape.  Instead of taking my brother to the hospital, they beat him up and killed him. They dumped his body in the forest and fled after taking away all the money, contraband, and liquor,” alleged the deceased’s brother Kanistha Bandaki.

“The cops have seized his money, the contraband, and liquor that he was smuggling. They have also seized his bike. So, if the police were present and made the seizure, then who killed him? We are sure about the involvement of policemen in the brutal killing. They have brutally killed him and disposed of his body in the forest,” alleged Rohit Kanhar, sarpanch of Salaguda panchayat, Kandhamal.

“We demand the immediate arrest of everyone who were on duty on September 26. We will hit the streets if justice is not served to our brother. There is no fake policemen involved here because all the vehicle they have seized is here in the police station,” he added.

When contacted, Suprassana Mallick, SDPO Phulbani said, “The case is being taken seriously. Because the deceased’s family members have accused the involvement of cops, we have taken the matter seriously. A DSP-level officer has been pressed to probe into the incident. If anyone is found guilty, strict action will be taken against them as per law."