Rayagada: A seven-year-old boy was allegedly kidnapped and murdered in Bissamcuttack area of Odisha’s Rayagada district.
The incident was reported from Old Station Basti under Chatikona Panchayat in the Bissamcuttack police station limits of Rayagada district on Saturday.
The deceased boy’s paternal uncle, stated to be the prime suspect, has been detained by the police in connection with the incident. He is being interrogated by police officials. The deceased has been identified as Rushi Gantayat.
As per information, the child was abducted in the evening of March 6. After he went missing, the family reportedly received a message from an unknown mobile number demanding Rs four lakh as ransom for the boy’s safe release. The message also warned the family not to inform the police or anyone else, threatening serious consequences if the demand was not met.
Family members and relatives began searching for the child in nearby areas. However, their search ended in tragedy late at night when the boy’s body was recovered near their old house.
Police said the accused allegedly slit the child’s throat, stuffed the body into a sack and dumped it.
After receiving information about the incident, Bissamcuttack police reached the spot, seized the body and sent it for post-mortem examination. A forensic team also visited the scene and collected evidence.
A case has been registered at Bissamcuttack police station under Sections 140(1), 140(2) and 103(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), a senior police official said.
Police have launched a detailed investigation to ascertain the exact circumstances and motive behind the murder.