Bhubaneswar, Sep 19: The murder case of lady constable Shubhamitra Sahu has been officially classified as a “Red Flag” case by the Commissionerate Police, signaling its high sensitivity and urgency.

Furthermore, a senior officer from the Crime Branch has been assigned to oversee the investigation.

According to the preliminary autopsy report, Shubhamitra died due to asphyxiation. Injury marks were found on her back, raising suspicions of foul play.

Investigators now believe she was strangled inside a car by the prime accused, Deepak Rout.

When she showed signs of breathing, Deepak allegedly pressed her back against the seatbelt again to ensure her death. Her body was later wrapped in paper and cloth and transported to the Commissionerate Police parking area.

The motive behind the murder appears to stem from financial disputes and Deepak’s alleged insistence on making their marriage public.

Also read: Aparna’s Death Likely to be Reinvestigated after Shubhamitra Murder Shocker

Sources reveal that the couple had been embroiled in arguments for over six months. Shockingly, Deepak is also accused of conspiring with his maternal cousin a week before the murder.

In a parallel development, the death of Deepak’s first wife, Aparna Priyadarshini, is now under fresh investigation. Aparna, a Revenue Inspector, reportedly died in a road accident near Khuntuni in 2022. However, her family has alleged that the accident was staged and that Deepak orchestrated her death to claim insurance money.

The Commissionerate Police has requested case files and documents from Khuntuni Police Station to reopen the inquiry.