The husband of a woman contestant of the three-tier Odisha Panchayat elections went missing under mysterious circumstances in Dhenkanal district.
Chinmay Kumar Das, husband of Bharati Rath is reportedly missing since last night. Bharati is a contender for the samiti member post in Sankulei gram panchayat under Zilla Parishad zone 2 of Dhenkanal block.
The poll aspirant, who hails from Kumardeipur, has lodged a missing complaint at Sadar police station. In her complaint, she alleged that her husband left for Bebarta Kateni last night after dropping her at home. She added that her husband told her over the phone that some people have detained him in the midway.
Chinmay’s scooter was recovered along Dholpasi-Sankulei road from where he had made the last call to his family members. Bloodstains were found on the two-wheeler.
“My husband did not return home since last night. I do not have suspicion on anyone, but appeal all for the safe return of him,” said Rath while breaking down into tears.
Bijay Kumar Das, the father of the missing man said, “He returned home from the campaign and left soon after dropping his wife. At around 9 pm, he told over the phone that about five persons assaulted him. When we reached the spot, he was missing but his scooter was found lying there.”
The voting in the Panchayat is slated to be held in the second phase tomorrow (February 18).