ROURKELA: Days after his release on bail in a murder case, police arrested a man in Sundargarh district on Thursday for the alleged rape and murder of a 39-yearold widow. Prior to that he had also tried to kill a man, leaving him grievously injured.
Ramesh Naik (32) was granted bail after having spent six years in jail as an undertrial prisoner for murdering a woman.
“We have arrested the accused for raping and killing the woman and for attempting to kill another man,” P Behera, sub-inspector, Lahunipada police station, said. “We are investigating the case further,” he added.
On Oct 8, family members found the widow’s body in an isolated place near an under-construction house with a deep injury on her head. Her brother-in-law lodged an FIR at Lahunipada police station. Police registered a murder case and began an investigation.
During inquiry, police found Ramesh’s involvement in the murder. According to the police, Ramesh was upset with the man who had promised to bail him out, but failed. He wanted to exact revenge upon his release from jail.
Ramesh came to know that the man was on friendly terms with the widowed woman and accordingly, he decided to attack them both.
He Aadhaar has to be linked to bank accounts for Subhadra benefits e first called the duo to a restaurant and after having a meal, the trio went to the man’s house where Ramesh attacked him and the woman.
Presuming the man to be dead, Ramesh left the house and took the injured woman near an under-construction house where he raped her.
During investigation, police learnt that the critically injured man had been hospitalised. During his questioning, police came to know about Ramesh’s involvement in the incident. Accordingly, a manhunt was launched and he was arrested.
(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)