Bhubaneswar man missing since 2019 suspected to be murdered; woman arrested

Bhubaneswar: City police on Sunday claimed that a man who was allegedly abducted in 2019 may have been murdered. The development came a day after the arrest of a woman, identified as Rashmita Swain, from Khallikote in Ganjam district.“We suspect that she may have killed Balaram Sahani and destroyed evidence. This angle is currently under verification,” a senior police officer said.Police officers said that Balaram has been missing since Oct 9, 2019. His father, Tapan Sahani, lodged a complaint with Chandaka police station on Oct 13, alleging his son was kidnapped. In his FIR, he named Rashmita and an unidentified man as the suspects.According to the complaint, Balaram left home on his scooter for Chhatrapur in Ganjam, carrying Rs 80,000 in cash.

“He was also wearing a gold chain and a ring. Two relatives, Baidhar Arukha and Sukant Mallick, accompanied him. While eating near Khurda, Balaram received a call and was asked to come alone. Following this, Arukha and Mallick returned without him,” the police officer said.Tapan further alleged that Balaram, who got married in May 2019, knew Rashmita prior to his marriage. Her alleged displeasure over Balaram’s marriage raised suspicions of her involvement in his disappearance.Police took Rashmita on a day-long remand for interrogation on Sunday. “We are verifying suspected ganja trading link to the abduction case,” the officer added.