The Nandipada police on Saturday night arrested Devi Prasad Jena, an Additional Block Development Officer (ABDO) posted in Bhadrak district, for the alleged murder of his wife, Sudeshna, on October 2.
According to police sources, Jena allegedly attacked and killed his 42-year-old wife with an axe following a family dispute at Danar village in Keonjhar district’s Hatadihi block. After committing the crime, he reportedly fled the scene.
A special team led by Anandpur SDPO Prashant Behera was formed to track down the absconding officer. The investigation revealed that Jena had travelled to Uttar Pradesh, where he disguised himself as a hermit in Vrindavan to evade arrest.
On Saturday, Jena boarded a train to Puri and alighted at Jajpur Road station. He then purchased a bicycle and began cycling toward his native village. However, a police team intercepted and detained him near Nasirpur village later that night.
Following his arrest, Jena was taken for a medical examination at the Salania Community Health Centre (CHC). Some of his relatives attempted to create unrest at the CHC, but police quickly brought the situation under control.
SDPO Behera stated that Jena would be produced before court soon. “He was returning to his village to collect some belongings when our team apprehended him,” Behera said.
