On Wednesday, the Chhend police arrested Sonu Thakur, a 45-year-old man, for allegedly beating his wife, Kiran Thakur (35), to death earlier this month in Rourkela’s Bidyut Basti. Sonu had been on the run since March 8, when the murder took place after a domestic dispute.
According to the police, Sonu, who works as a civil contractor’s assistant, attacked Kiran with a stick, causing fatal injuries. Though he initially took her to Rourkela Government Hospital (RGH), Sonu fled the premises upon learning of her death, abandoning her body at the morgue. He reportedly escaped to his hometown in Jharkhand with their two minor children, aged 5 years and 30 months.
The victim’s mother, Muni Tirkey, filed a murder complaint at Chhend police station on March 9, after discovering her daughter’s death. Police launched an investigation, and despite an initial search in Jharkhand, they returned empty-handed. However, after receiving a tip-off, the police team was able to locate and apprehend Sonu during a raid on Wednesday night.
Sub-inspector Priyanka Sahoo of Chhend police station confirmed the arrest, stating that the murder weapon had been recovered from the accused. Sonu is currently in police custody, and the investigation is ongoing.
