BALANGIR: A headless body recovered from a pond in Bagada village under Deogaon police station limits in Balangir has led police to a chilling murder case, with the victim allegedly decapitated as part of a human sacrifice ritual.
The victim is Santosh Kharsel of Tebadamunda. Police arrested Shatrughna Sahu of the same village on Friday for allegedly beheading Santosh around five days ago and burying his severed head inside the worship room of his house in the belief that the ritual would help bring his estranged wife, who had left him around 10 years ago, back home. Shatrughna was reportedly suffering from mental health issues.
Balangir SP Abilash G said that after beheading Santosh, Shatrughna allegedly dumped the headless body in a pond at Bagada. Police recovered the headless body from the pond after it surfaced on the water.
Villagers had been searching for Santosh after he went missing and had questioned Shatrughna as he was allegedly the last person seen talking to the victim. During questioning, he reportedly confessed to the murder, following which he was arrested.