Tragic Incident in Odisha: Forest Official Found Dead Under Suspicious Circumstances

A forest department official's body was found half-burnt in Nayagarh, Odisha, leading to a police investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. Sishir Sahu's wife sustained injuries, while their son was unharmed. Allegations of foul play have emerged from family members, prompting authorities to explore various angles, including the possibility of arson or self-immolation. As the investigation unfolds, questions remain about the tragic incident that has shocked the local community.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 31, 2025, 14:07 IST

Mysterious Death of a Forest Official in Nayagarh

Bhubaneswar: On Saturday, authorities discovered the charred remains of a forest department employee under suspicious circumstances in Nayagarh district, Odisha.

The victim has been identified as Sishir Sahu, who worked as a forester in the Sarankul Pancharida range. His wife, Namita, suffered burn injuries, while their son, Abhisek, escaped unharmed during the fire incident at their residence in the Baramasidanda area.

Initial investigations suggest that the fire broke out on Friday night while Sishir, Namita, and Abhisek were at home.

Namita is currently receiving medical care, and police are interviewing Abhisek to determine the cause of the fire. Several household items, including a motorcycle, were also destroyed in the blaze.

In a police report, Sishir's elder brother, Sarat Sahu, accused Namita and Abhisek of intentionally setting the fire due to Sishir's alleged extramarital affair.

"We are exploring all possibilities in this case. Senior officers are conducting a thorough investigation with assistance from a scientific team," stated Nayagarh ASP Subhas Panda during a press briefing.

Fire service personnel quickly responded to the scene, extinguishing the flames and recovering Sahu's half-burnt body from inside the house.

Authorities are also considering the potential for self-immolation or intentional arson as part of their investigation.