Days after the body of a third-year MBBS student was found floating in a river in Cuttack, police have arrested her estranged lover and Odisha Administrative Service officer Bhimsen Prasad Tudu as the woman’s relatives claim she was murdered.
Chandrika Hembram’s family said she and Tudu were school sweethearts and had been in a relationship for 14 years and were planning to get married in 2027.
They alleged that Tudu reneged on the plan and distanced herself from Hembram after she joined the Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) and suddenly started hating her because of her complexion.
While Hembram underwent cosmetic treatment to become fair, Todo entered into a relationship with another woman, the victim’s relatives alleged.
The body of Chandrika Hembram was found floating in the Kathagodi River on the morning of June 4, police said. Soon after, Tudu was on the run and subsequently applied for anticipatory bail in the Orissa High Court.
“A coordinated search operation led to his arrest in Mayurbhanj area on Friday evening. He was taken to Parang police station in Cuttack district for further questioning,” an official said.
The victim’s mother, Hiramani, alleged that Tudu was telling her daughter that she was not beautiful or fair. “She was taking glutathione injections,” her mother said.
After Hembram’s body was found floating in the river, it was ruled a suicide, as an autopsy confirmed drowning and suffocation, and forensic analysis revealed no external injuries to suggest foul play.
However, her family claimed it was a “planned murder.”
“How did my daughter die by drowning in deep water?” Hembram’s mother asked.
The police said that, following a complaint from the mother of the deceased, they launched an investigation into the case using forensic and IT technology, checking the electronic devices of the victim and the accused, chat history, and personal diaries.
At a press conference in Cuttack, Rishikesh Deputy Commissioner of Police Dinyandeo Khilari said: “The prima facie investigation suggests that Tudu could be responsible for the death of the MBBS student. We have obtained digital evidence against Tudu.”
“His laptop and tablet were seized, and WhatsApp data was also found. He was not cooperating with the investigation and tried to evade arrest,” the officer added.
