Five arrested for murder of inmate at de-addiction centre

Cuttack: Police on Wednesday arrested five persons, including the managing director of a private de-addiction centre at Uttamapur under Sadar police station limits, in connection with the alleged murder a 37-year-old inmate.The accused have been identified as Raja Betal, 27, Rohit Ranjan Samal alias Krishna, 22, Ramakanta Swain alias Nilu, 44, and Ashutosh Das alias Sipun, 23 — all inmates of the centre. Police have also arrested Chitaranjan Mohanty alias Chitta, 46 of Jhanjirmangala, managing director of the centre, for alleged negligence and operational irregularities.The deceased, identified as Soumyaranjan Das, a resident of Jatni, was an engineering graduate who had been working in Mumbai.

He had returned home a few months ago due to depression and was admitted to the centre for treatment around three months back.Police said Das was killed by the four accused on Diwali night, when he raised an alarm after noticing them attempting to escape from the facility from a window, taking advantage of the festivities and reduced vigilance.“Enraged, the four allegedly overpowered and strangled him with a towel,” said DCP Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo.

“We had collected samples after the forensic team was pressed into action after the incident. All accused have confessed to the crime. Further investigation is underway to find out if others were involved. The autopsy report confirmed the cause of death as strangulation,” added Khilari.