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, where their bail applications were rejected, and they were remanded to jail custody. The two juveniles were produced before the Juvenile Justice Board in Jajpur, and their bail petitions were also rejected.
They have been sent to an observation home in Angul. It must be mentioned that in 2023, the additional district and sessions judge of Jajpur had sentenced 17 tribals to life imprisonment for burning a tribal couple to death in 2020, suspecting them of being involved in witchcraft and responsible for the untimely deaths of some villagers. We also published the following articles recently Jind police cracks extortion case, arrests two accused Jind police arrested Ravi alias Dhilu and Ankush for extorting 5 crore from a medical store owner and threatening harm if the ransom was not paid.
The duo, caught near Gattoli canal during an escape attempt, had also set fire to the store. Further investigation continues. No Dalit in Miss India, says Rahul; statement juvenile, retorts BJP Union minister Kiren Rijiju has criticized Rahul Gandhi for his remark about the lack of Dalits and adivasis in the Miss India pageant, calling it juvenile.
Gandhi, speaking at an event in Prayagraj, highlighted the exclusion of marginalized communities from key sectors such as beauty pageants, cricket, and media anchorship roles. Gauri Lankesh murder case: SC upholds bail of accused Mohan Nayak The Supreme Court dismissed Kavitha Lankesh's plea challenging the Karnataka High Court's bail to Mohan Nayak, an accused in Gauri Lankeshs 2017 murder. Noting Nayak's cooperation, the trial court was instructed to hasten proceedings.
The state may reapply for bail cancellation if conditions are violated. Karnataka confirmed the examination of 137 witnesses to date..
