Odisha Photographer Killed Over An Extra-Marital Affair, Police Reveals Details

The mystery behind the death of a photographer who was found hanging under suspicious conditions at his house on Kapilash Road area in Rayagada on August 31, has finally been unravelled. Rayagada Police on Sunday (Sept 5) revealed that the crime was over an alleged extra marital affair between the deceased and the murderer's wife.

The accused have been identified as Lingalu Simachalam alias Simba, who is an auto-driver by profession and his accomplices Balaram Padhi alias Babu and Sabresh Kumar alias Gugula of Brahmin Sahi area of Rayagada. As per reports, the deceased, B.Rajkumar used to work at a photo studio in the town.

Around 6 months ago, Rajkumar and Simba had become fast friends which had led the former to frequent Simba's house. However, trouble started brewing when Rajkumar developed an illicit affair with Simba's wife. When Simba found out about the same, he devised a plan to extract revenge on Rajkumar.

As per Simba's plan, he told his wife that he would leave for Andhra Pradesh for some work. However, Simba did not leave town and kept watch at his house to catch Rajkumar red-handed. Later, when Rajkumar turned up at Simba's house at night (between 9.30 - 10 PM), Simba ambushed the photographer with the help of his friends and thrashed him in the presence of his (Simba's) wife and mother-in-law.

Meanwhile, Simba also called Rajkumar’s brother who stays at Parvathipuram and told him about his brother's illicit affair. Rajkumar’s brother requested Simba to not hand his brother over to police and discuss the matter when he reaches Rayagada the next day. However, the three decided to take Rajkumar to the local police.

But midway, Rajkumar's health deteriorated. Then, Simba and his friends took Rajkumar to his house, who used to live alone and attempted to give him water. But after Rajkumar fell unconscious, the trio assumed him to be dead due to the thrashing. The trio then strangled him using a 'gamucha' and hung him from the ceiling fan to mislead the investigation.

Then, the next day when Rajkumar’s brother reached the house, he found him hanging. Later, an FIR was lodged and the three, who were absconding since then, were caught by police yesterday.

Published: Diptiranjita Patra

Last updated: 06 September 2021, 10:28 AM IST