Kendrapada : Five tribals , two of them juveniles , were arrested by Jajpur district police on Tuesday for allegedly killing a 65-year-old man on August 22 on suspicion that he practised black magic. The accused, all related and residents of tribal-dominated Jagarsahi village, believed Saluku Hansada was responsible for the recent deaths of some youths and children in the area. Among those arrested were Mohan Marandi (32), his wife Sakara (32) and aunt Sambari Hembrum (35).
The two juveniles, aged around 15 years, are also related to Mohan. After committing the crime, the accused dumped Saluku’s body in the forest. Cattle grazers discovered the decomposed body on August 26 and informed the police.
During investigation, police came to know that Saluku had been killed by family members of a neighbour. Following interrogation, the accused confessed to their crime. According to preliminary findings, the accused thought Saluku was responsible for the deaths in the village and nearby areas, prompting them to seek revenge by brutally assaulting him with wooden planks and bamboos, leading to his death.
“A case has been registered under various sections of the law, including Section 103 (murder) and Section 238 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence) of the BNS, as well as Section 4 of the Odisha Prevention of Witch-hunting Act, 2013,” said Ranjan Kumar Mallick, IIC of Kaliapani police station. The three adult accused were produced in court at Jajpur Road on Tuesday, wher.