Double Life of Odisha Police Constable Raises Murder Investigation
Bhubaneswar: Odisha police constable Deepak Kumar Rout, 39, has been arrested in connection with the murder of his 25-year-old second wife, traffic constable Subhamitra Sahoo. Her body was discovered buried in a pit disguised as a toilet in Keonjhar, prompting further scrutiny into Rout’s life.
On Wednesday, investigators exhumed Subhamitra’s body, leading to the arrests of Rout, a relative named Binod Bihari Bhuyan, 28, and landowner Sambhunath Mohanta. Mohanta allegedly accepted Rs 5,000 for allowing Rout to bury Subhamitra on his property, under the false pretense that it was for toilet construction.
The investigation has also reopened a past tragedy involving Rout’s first wife, Aparna Priyadarshini, a revenue inspector who died in a road accident in March 2022. Aparna’s family has since filed a complaint alleging she was murdered as well, asserting that Rout tortured her, coerced her into taking loans exceeding Rs 10 lakh, and collected Rs 1 crore in insurance benefits following her death. Notably, Subhamitra was insured for an equal amount.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Jagmohan Meena reported that Rout had plotted to kill Subhamitra on August 26 after financial disputes arose between them. Rout and Subhamitra entered into marriage in July, just months before her untimely death.
