A 70-year-old woman who had been missing for nine days was found dead near a pond in Daniapali village under the Binika police station limits in Odisha’s Sonepur district on Sunday. Her family has alleged that she was raped and murdered.

The deceased has been identified as Prabhasini Mallik of Manaharipada. According to initial reports, blood was seen flowing from her nose, and injury marks were visible on multiple parts of her body. The family claimed she was killed and her body dumped in the area.

Police launched an investigation after receiving a written complaint from her relatives. Officers said the body was recovered from a muddy patch near farmland after locals spotted it and alerted authorities. The family was then called to identify the body.

Family Allege Murder, Sexual Assualt

Relatives further alleged that Prabhasini was sexually assaulted before being killed, citing injuries on her nose, head, and other parts of her body. They have demanded a thorough probe and justice for the victim.

Her daughter, speaking to the media, said, “I was looking for my mother for nine days. When she left home, she was wearing clothes, but her body was found naked. She has injuries on her nose, head, and body. She was dragged there.”

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Police teams have examined the spot and are exploring all angles, including the possibility of sexual assault and homicide. Investigators are also probing whether she may have reached the area on her own, suffered a fall, and died. The exact cause of death will be determined after post-mortem examination.