Balangir, Sep 8: In a chilling incident from Odisha’s Balangir district, a 40-year-old man was found hanging from a tree in the remote forested area of Banjijhal under Patnagarh police limits.

The deceased, identified as Champeswar Mirdha of Bahabal village under Belpada police jurisdiction, had reportedly been missing for several days before his body was discovered.

Local residents of Padhel Banjijhal spotted the body hanging from a tree and immediately alerted Patnagarh police. Upon arrival, the police, with assistance from the fire brigade, recovered the body and sent it for postmortem. The terrain and condition of the body added complexity to the recovery operation.

According to police sources, Champeswar had left his home days ago and had not returned. A missing person report had already been filed at Belpada police station. The discovery of his body in a different jurisdiction has raised serious questions about the circumstances leading to his death.

Authorities are now investigating whether this was a case of suicide or if foul play was involved. The Patnagarh police have stated that the unusual location and condition of the body warrant a deeper probe. “How the deceased reached Banjijhal and whether this was a suicide or a planned murder will be revealed only after a thorough investigation,” said a senior officer from Patnagarh police station.