Missing boy’s murder: Human sacrifice suspected as mystery over Mangala Kothi deepens; 6 detained

The mystery behind the death of a minor boy, whose limbless body recovery recently sparked tension at Subarnapur village under Kiakata police limits in Angul, is deepening day by day. It is now suspected that the deceased boy, identified as Sanjeev Biswal (13), was killed as human sacrifice. Such allegations are now flying thick and fast among local residents.

Amidst this, several questions are now being raised over Mangala Kothi and the role of traditional healer Gitanjali Bag. Sources said police have picked six persons, including Gitanjali and her sons in connection with the incident and they are being interrogated at an undisclosed location.

As per reports, Sanjeev was earlier not keeping well and her mother Basanti took him to Mangala Kothi to seek blessings. The Mangala Kothi is a special room where Goddess Mangala is worshipped. The next morning, Sanjeev was found missing. The family members launched a frantic search for him. Unable to find him anywhere, Basanti tried to lodge a missing complaint at Kiakata Police Station on July 24. But the police officer allegedly tore the complaint and asked the family to go back home.

The villagers spotted Sanjeev’s body hanging from a tree in Baruni forest. As his hands and legs were missing, villagers suspect it to be a case of human sacrifice. Irate over the boy’s death, locals set ablaze a police van.

“When we were handed over the body at 11 pm, we found that the boy’s eyes and other parts were missing. Later, police forced us and the body was burnt. We want police to conduct a detailed investigation into the incident to ascertain whether it is a case of human sacrifice,” said Ganeshwar Dehury, a relative of the deceased.

Family members suspect that there could also be involvement of a racket involved in illegal human organ trade as around five girls have gone missing in a similar fashion so far.

Angul SP Sudhanshu Sekhar Mishra said, “We are conducting investigation as per the allegations. Along with this, scientific investigation is also being done by ascertaining various aspects including the family members and with whom they were in contact.”

Mishra said that the body was recovered in a decomposed condition and some parts were missing. “The lower portion of the body was missing. The parts were recovered around the spot where the body was found hanging,” Mishra added.

Later in the day, Angul police has arrested four persons of a family including a minor boy in connection with the case.

"One Pujarini of Mangala Kothi area and her three sons have been arrested in connection with the case. The investigation will continue based on the post mortem report and statement of the witnesses," Angul SP Sudhasu Sekhar Mishra informed.