Discovery of the Body
In a chilling event, the body of a 35-year-old woman was found by the banks of the Kathjodi river in Cuttack, Odisha, on December 13. The discovery occurred in the morning, sending the local community into a state of shock. The woman’s identity was unknown, and no missing person report had been filed, making the case even more perplexing for the authorities.
Initial Investigation
Local police, led by Deputy Commissioner of Police Jagmohan Meena, faced significant challenges. There were no immediate clues. The only evidence at the scene was a blunt object, referred to as a chapar, and blood-stained clothing found nearby. The woman had tattoos on both arms, but they did not help in identifying her. The lack of leads left the police with an uphill battle.
Breakthrough with Tailor’s Tag
The case took a dramatic turn when investigators discovered a blood-stained shirt and pants near the crime scene. Both items had a tag that belonged to “New Star Tailors.” This piece of evidence offered a glimmer of hope for the police. They launched a search to find any tailors in Odisha who used this specific tag.
Police contacted approximately ten tailor shops. Unfortunately, the initial inquiries did not yield any useful leads. Just when it seemed the investigation might stall, a tip arrived via WhatsApp. The message suggested a tailor in Bhanjanagar, located in the Ganjam district, could be associated with this tag.
Contacting the Tailor
Immediately, the police acted on the tip. They reached out to the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) in Bhanjanagar to locate the tailor’s shop. The investigation took another unexpected turn. It was revealed that the tailor’s tag did not only belong to local shops but also to a tailor in Gujarat.
This revelation prompted a collaboration with the Gujarat police. During their investigation, they discovered a customer named “Babu” who had purchased items from the Gujarati tailor shop. However, the most crucial clue emerged when the tailor remembered that he had issued a refund of Rs. 100 to the customer through an online transaction.
Tracing the Online Payment
Following the online transaction, the police traced the associated phone number. This lead eventually pointed them to a man named Jagannath Duhri. He was a 27-year-old resident of Kendrapada district. The facts surrounding the transaction indicated that Duhri was connected to the case. His movements were traced, revealing that he was traveling on a train to Surat.
The police were quick to alert the Rayagada police. They acted swiftly and apprehended Duhri at the Muniguda station, located near Rayagada.
Unraveling the Family Connection
Upon interrogating Duhri, investigators uncovered a disturbing family connection. They learned that the deceased woman was actually Duhri’s sister-in-law. The murder had arisen from a long-standing family dispute that had escalated to violence.
Duhri and his two brothers—Balram Duhri and Hapi Duhri—had plotted and executed the brutal killing. The motive behind the murder centered around Balram’s unfounded suspicions about his wife’s character. This suspicion led him to react violently, and the three brothers conspired together to end the woman’s life amid the chaos of family tensions.
Arresting the Other Accused
Following Duhri’s arrest, the police acted quickly to track down his brothers. With the help of local police in Kendrapada, they were able to apprehend Balram and Hapi Duhri shortly after. The trio was now in custody, and police investigations continued. There remained unanswered questions regarding the details of the murder.
Community Reaction
This shocking case has captured the attention of the community in Cuttack. Residents are grappling with the horrifying reality that such brutal acts can stem from deep-seated family disputes.
The resolution of the investigation has prompted praise for the police. Their relentless dedication and innovative methods have brought clarity to a case that seemed nearly impossible to solve. The use of modern technology, such as online transaction tracking, combined with traditional detective work, played a vital role in uncovering the truth behind this murder.
