Odisha man murders friend for having affair with his wife, arrested in Mumbai

A murder allegedly triggered by an extramarital affair has come to light in Odisha, with police arresting the prime accused from Maharashtra following a detailed investigation.

According to police, the case surfaced after the disappearance of 35-year-old Birendra Behera from Balasore. Behera had travelled to neighbouring Mayurbhanj district on May 25, along with his friend Biren Madhei to work as a dumper driver. However, he never returned home.

Concerned over his sudden disappearance, Behera’s wife, Sabitri, lodged a missing person complaint at Berhampur Police Station on May 27, prompting police to launch a search operation.

During the investigation, police uncovered a long-standing dispute between Behera and the accused, Madhei. The two were reportedly close friends, but their relationship soured after Behera allegedly began an illicit relationship with Madhei’s wife.

The matter had earlier been taken up by a village committee, where local elders and the sarpanch intervened to resolve the dispute. A penalty of Rs 50,000 was also reportedly imposed as part of the settlement.

After committing the crime on May 25, the accused allegedly buried the body in a forested area and later fled, said Pramod Kumar Mallick, Additional Superintendent of Police, adding that he was arrested from Mumbai.

During interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed to the crime and revealed the location where the body had been buried. Acting on his disclosure, police recovered the remains from a site near the accused’s in-laws’ house.

Police said efforts are underway to establish the exact sequence of events leading to the murder and to collect additional evidence to strengthen the case. Further investigation is in progress.

- Ends