Youth found dead in hotel room in Balasore, foul play suspected; hunt on for woman companion

The body of a youth was recovered from a hotel room under suspicious circumstances in Balasore on Saturday, triggering a police investigation into the incident. The recovery was made from a hotel located within the Sahadevkhunta police station limits, where a woman who had reportedly stayed with the deceased is suspected to be involved and is currently untraceable.

Police sources said the body was lying inside the hotel room since Friday. The matter came to light after the hotel staff alerted authorities due to unusual circumstances surrounding the room.

Body Recovered From Third-Floor Room

The deceased has been identified as Akash Mahanta of the Jambani area under Betnoti police station limits in Mayurbhanj district. His body was found in room number 402, located on the third floor of the hotel.

According to information, two days prior to the incident, two young men checked into the hotel along with a woman and booked the room. However, when the room remained unopened the following day, and there was no response from inside, the hotel owner grew suspicious and informed the police.

Police Investigation Underway

Police immediately reached the spot and began an investigation. Efforts were on to trace the woman who was staying in the room with the deceased at the time of reporting. Authorities also examined whether another youth was present at the time of the incident.

A police official present at the hotel said, “We are currently investigating the matter. It has not been ascertained whether he was accompanied by another youth and a woman. We have formed a special team and are conducting searches at various places. His family has reached the hotel and filed a formal complaint. We have registered a case and further action will be taken based on the investigation.”

Family Raises Allegations

The deceased’s family members reached the hotel as police were preparing to send the body for post-mortem examination. A relative said they came to know about the incident through newspaper reports, which prompted them to reach the hotel.

Akash’s mother stated that her son had travelled to Balasore with another person from their village named Ram to collect admit cards after applying for Home Guard recruitment. She alleged that while Ram returned alone, her son did not.

Meanwhile, the deceased’s wife alleged that Ram was responsible for her husband’s death, claiming that her husband had no known disputes with anyone.