Odisha Man Kills Wife Suspecting Extra-marital Affair, Walks To Police Station With Severed Head

Nayagarh: A 35-year-old man allegedly killed his wife in Odisha's Nayagarh district on Saturday suspecting that she was involved in an extra-marital affair, and surrendered at the police station with her severed head, officials said.

Arjun Bagha, the accused, walked into the Banigochha police station with the severed head of his wife, triggering a panic, they said.

Bagha, a resident of Bidapaju village, told the police that he killed his wife Dharitri, 30, suspecting her to be involved in an extra-marital affair, they said, PTI reported. He used a sharp weapon to kill his wife and then chopped off her head, police said, adding that they have detained him.

"The headless torso has also been recovered. An investigation has been started," said Laxman Dandasena, the inspector-in-charge of the Banigochha police station.

A man has been arrested by the Tandur police for allegedly murdering seven people over 38 years on Friday.

According to the police, he has been charged with the murder of his seventh victim, who went missing from Vikarabad on November 29, allegedly for a meagre sum of Rs 1,000. The accused, identified as Kishtaiah, had been on a killing spree since 1985, primarily targeting women and robbing them, according to authorities.

Shockingly, Kishtaiah was released from jail in September after spending two years due to a lack of evidence. His modus operandi involved luring women with promises of employment, offering them toddy, and then murdering them even for small amounts of money. Kishtaiah came under police scrutiny during the investigation into the disappearance of Sarvabhi on November 29.

Following the complaint by Sarvabhi’s husband, the police examined CCTV footage, revealing the victim waiting at Shanthi Mahal X Roads and engaging in conversation with Kishtappa. The footage showed the duo heading towards Indira Chowk. Upon identifying Kishtaiah, the police apprehended him. During interrogation, he admitted to not only the murder of Sarvabhi but also to six other people. Kishtaiah disclosed that he and Sarvabhi took a bus to Tattepalli, where they ventured into the forest. In the forest, he allegedly strangled her with her saree and stole her silver anklets, Rs 1,000 in cash, and a mobile phone.

Kishtaiah had been arrested by Vikarabad police on March 21, 2021, for the murder of a woman who worked as a daily wage labourer. At that time, his wife was charged with possessing stolen property. Kishtaiah had reportedly promised the woman employment, took her with him, made her consume toddy midway, and then allegedly strangled her in a mango garden, stealing her valuables.

Police revealed that Kishtaiah, working as a daily wage labourer, was a serial killer involved in murder-for-gains. He had reportedly killed a person for as little as Rs 1,500. Since 1985, he has allegedly committed six murders, with three cases registered in Vikarabad, and one each in Yalala, Dharoor, and Tandur. Authorities suspect there may be more victims in the neighbouring districts.