Berhampur: Grief engulfed Derabadi village in Kandhamal district after the body of Bibhas Nayak was brought back on Sunday. The 26-year-old Bibhas was thrown to death in the Tungabhadra canal in Karnataka’s Koppal on March 6 night by three men after they raped an Israeli visitor and her homestay operator.
Body of Bibhas was recovered by Karnataka police on Saturday from the canal, about 2km from the crime scene, close to the Unseco world heritage site of Hampi.
People from nearby areas gathered in G Udayagiri as Bibhas’ body arrived by ambulance. The body was buried as per traditional customs in G Udayagiri. “We cant believe that Bibhas is no more,” said Bonhami, the deceased’s sister.
“We condemn the incident. Hope to get justice soon,” said Firoj Kumar Pradhan, a relative of the deceased.
Bibhas was working at a private hospital in New Delhi. Bibhas’s parents live in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. He had visited his native place over a year ago. The family previously lived in Daringbadi before relocating to G Udayagiri, sources said.
Bibhas, Daniel Pitas (23) from the US, Pankaj Amrit Rao Patil (43) from Nashik, and the two women were stargazing, playing guitar and listening to music near the canal on Thursday night. The three suspects approached the group of five and initially asked money to buy petrol. The tourists gave them Rs 20 but the suspects demanded Rs 100. When the tourists refused, the suspects turned aggressive, hurling abuses. When the male tourists tried to intervene, they were pushed into the canal. While Daniel and Pankaj swam to safety, Bibhas drowned. The attackers then raped the two women.
Karnataka police arrested two suspects, Mallesh alias Handi Malla (22) and Chetan Sai Sillekyatar (21), on Saturday. The third accused was arrested on Sunday.