Gobinda Sahu, the prime accused in the high-profile Mamita Meher murder case, reportedly died by suicide on Tuesday.
According to sources, Sahu attempted to end his life inside Kantabanji jail in Bolangir district by hanging himself. He was immediately rushed to a hospital where the doctor declared him brought dead.
Sahu was scheduled to appear before JMFC court today, sources informed.
Recently, Sahu had moved the Orissa High Court seeking bail, but his plea was rejected.
Meanwhile, questions are being raised about the security arrangements inside the jail after the only arrested accused in the sensational murder case ended his life.
Taking the matter seriously, the Prisons department has ordered a DIG-level probe. Sambalpur Prisons Range DIG Anasuya Jena will probe the matter to find out under what circumstances Sahu committed suicide.
Later in the day, odisha Director General of Police (DGP) Sunil Kumar Bansal ordered a Crime Branch probe into the matter.
Notably, Mamita Meher, a resident of Jharni village under Turekela Block of Bolangir district, who worked as a teacher at Sunshine English Medium School in Mahaling of Kalahandi district, went missing on October 8, 2021. Prime accused Govind Sahu was the managing committee president of the educational institution.
Her decomposed body was exhumed from an under-construction stadium at Mahaling in Kalahandi district on October 19.
Sahu allegedly murdered Mamita, chopped off her body, and set it on fire before burying it under the ground. Sahu also torched her bag, and mobile phone of Mamita to damage the evidence.
Following the murder of the lady teacher, the Opposition had demanded the resignation of the then Minister of State for Home Dibyashankar Mishra for his alleged involvement in the case.