RD University Student Death Case: Father Of Jharaphula Knew About Her Relationship

Bhubaneswar: In a dramatic twist to the mysterious death of Rama Devi (RD) University student Jharaphula, father of the deceased girl on Sunday opened up on the case while saying that he knew about her relationship with the accused Rakesh.

Speaking to media, Ramakant Nayak, father of the deceased RD University student said, "My son asked me to relocate Jharaphula after he came to know about her relationship with one Rakesh who is working in lift irrigation pipeline project. Following this, I asked her to live with me."

"I broke her SIM card so that she can't contact Rakesh further and gave her my SIM for her online classes. But, I think she contacted Rakesh using my mobile number," Nayak added.

Earlier on Saturday, Jajpur police raided a guesthouse in Bhubaneswar. A special squad of police along with a scientific team examined a room of Shiv Sai Guest House in Dharma Vihar area where the girl Jharaphula Nayak had stayed along with Rakesh Swain on the night of January 26, a day before she was found dead.

According to sources, Rakesh, who has been arrested in connection with the case, had checked in the guesthouse with Jharaphula at 2 pm on January 26 and checked out at 7.21 am the following day. He was accompanied by another youth while leaving the guesthouse.

Later on Saturday, CCTV footage of the deceased visiting a biryani centre under Airfield police jurisdiction in the city along with her alleged boyfriend had surfaced.

The duo was seen visiting the hotel at 12.20 pm on that day. Wearing a helmet, Jharaphula was seen sitting on the two-wheeler while Rakesh entered the hotel. Later, he came back and the duo entered the hotel together.

(Edited By Suryakant Jena)