Class 9 Girl Found Dead Near Sambalpur Drain; Police Launch Probe

Sambalpur, Odisha — A 14-year-old Class 9 student was found dead near a stormwater drain in Sambalpur on Tuesday, prompting Odisha Police to launch a murder investigation.

Background

The victim, a resident of a neighbouring village, had been missing since Monday evening. Her body was recovered after locals alerted authorities to discarded clothing near the drain. While foul play is suspected, police have yet to confirm the cause of death.

Sambalpur has recorded fewer than five cases of unnatural deaths involving minors in the past three years, according to district crime records. Superintendent of Police B Gangadhar stated that a special team has been formed to expedite the inquiry, with officers reviewing CCTV footage from nearby areas.

Community Impact

The death has triggered outrage among residents, with over 200 people staging a protest outside the local police station on Wednesday. Parents have demanded increased patrols near schools and residential zones, while student groups have called for a district-wide safety audit of vulnerable areas.

Local MLA Rojalin Choudhury visited the victim’s family and announced compensation of ₹2 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. “This is not just a loss for one family but a failure of our collective responsibility to protect children,” she stated. Counsellors from the district education office have been deployed to the victim’s school to support traumatised classmates.

What Happens Next

Forensic teams have collected samples for toxicology and post-mortem reports, with results expected within 48 hours. Police have questioned six individuals, including three auto-rickshaw drivers who frequented the area on Monday.

A magistrate’s inquiry has been ordered alongside the criminal investigation, focusing on potential lapses in drainage maintenance and street lighting. District Collector Nikhil Pavan Kalyan has directed municipal authorities to submit a safety compliance report within seven days.

The victim’s family has refused to perform last rites until the primary accused is arrested, intensifying pressure on investigators. Police have assured the public of a breakthrough within the week.