Jharsuguda: The Crime Branch of Odisha police on Tuesday began investigation into the death of 17-year-old girl Sanjukta Jaipuria, who was killed by her cousin sisters Santoshini and Soudamini few days ago.
A six-member special investigation team (SIT) headed by a DSP-rank officer arrived in Bijapali village today and spoke to the family members and neighbours of the deceased. The team also went to Suhadihi village in the district and gathered information about the local religious preacher Suchitra Dhuruan, who was arrested on charges of provoking the accused to commit the crime.
The Rengali police have so far arrested 12 persons including parents of the deceased for their alleged involvement in the case, which is suspected to be a case of human sacrifice.
Investigating officials said, the case has been marked “Red Flag” and its probe will be monitored on a regular basis.
Suspecting superstitious belief behind the death, the police has arrested Sanjukta’s parents - Gopal Jaipuria (50) and Asha Jaipuria (45) - and sister Mamta (21). The other accused are Dolamani Jaipuria (55), Jayanti Jaipuria (45), Nabin Bhoi (22) and Suchitra Bhoi (30), all of whom are residents of Suhadihi village. Rengali police forwarded them to judicial custody.
Two juveniles of the same family have also been held and sent to an observation home.
The incident took place at Bijapalli village under Rengali police limits in Lakhanpur block on last Thursday. The girl’s parents claimed that they saw the body of Sanjukta in a room of their house under mysterious circumstances on Friday morning and informed Jharsuguda police, who seized the body and detained Sanjukta’s cousin sisters Santoshini and Soudamini.