Missing Couple Found Dead In Odisha, Murder Over Witchcraft Suspected

Baripada: The bodies of a tribal couple who had gone missing a few days back were recovered today, raising suspicion that they may have been killed over witchcraft practice.

The deceased, Sitaram Singh and his wife Leth Singh of Sitaram Sahi under Kaptipada police limits in Mayurbhanj district, were missing since Sunday. Their mutilated bodies with huge rocks tied to them were recovered from a dam today.

"Dibakar and Lago had dumped bodies of Leth Singh and her husband Sitaram Singh in Sunei Dam Reservoir after killing them. We recovered the bodies from the spot today and arrested the accused," said Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Udala, Swapnaranjan Mohapatra.

According to sources, the couple had gone to nearby Chhatramba village on Sunday to watch a football tournament. However, they did not return home till late night following which their family members launched a frantic search to trace them.

During the search, the family members stumbled upon blood stains, abandoned footwear and broken bangles inside a forest near their house. Following this, the family alleged that the duo has been murdered on suspicion of practicing black magic citing that they were earlier attacked over the issue.

Later, a complaint was lodged at Kaptipada Police station in this regard, based on which a team of police along with sniffer dogs visited the spot. Police have arrested one person from Mahulpankha village in connection with the incident.