Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Odisha Man Arrested After Alleged Occult Beheading of Villager
Police in Odisha found the headless body of Santosh Kharsel in a pond.
Kharsel had been missing since August 18.
Police said he was last seen with Satrughna Sahu.
Investigators allege that Sahu took Kharsel to his house and killed him.
They said the body was put in a pond near the house.
Police later found Kharsel’s head buried in Sahu’s prayer room.
They suspect the killing was connected to a belief in human sacrifice.
Police said Sahu wanted his separated wife to return.
Sahu was arrested, but the investigation and legal proceedings are continuing.
Police recovered Santosh Kharsel’s headless body from a pond in Bagada village, Odisha.
Kharsel, 45, had been missing since August 18 and was reportedly last seen with Satrughna Sahu.
Police allege Sahu invited Kharsel to his house, killed him with an iron katari, and placed the body in a nearby pond.
Investigators recovered Kharsel’s severed head from a pit in Sahu’s puja room.
Police say Sahu cited reuniting with his estranged wife as a motive, while initially describing the killing as a drunken argument.
- Who
- Satrughna Sahu, 40, was arrested in connection with the alleged killing of Santosh Kharsel, 45.
- What
- Kharsel was allegedly beheaded, with his body placed in a pond and his head buried in Sahu’s puja room.
- When
- Kharsel was reported missing on August 18; his body was found earlier in the week and his head was recovered on Thursday.
- Where
- The body was found in a pond in Bagada village, Balangir district, Odisha; police said the pond was about 20 metres from Sahu’s house.
- Why
- Police allege Sahu believed a human sacrifice would help bring back his estranged wife, although he initially described the incident as a drunken argument.
Police’s alleged human-sacrifice theory
Alternative account and unresolved discrepancies
Motive
Police’s alleged human-sacrifice theory
Police said Sahu believed a human sacrifice could bring back his estranged wife, citing his alleged later admission and ritual materials found in the house.
Alternative account and unresolved discrepancies
During initial interrogation, Sahu reportedly said the killing followed an intense argument after he and Kharsel had been drinking alcohol.
Length of the separation
Police’s alleged human-sacrifice theory
One police account said Sahu’s wife had been living at her maternal home for about 11 years, with their children also staying away.
Alternative account and unresolved discrepancies
Several reports said she had left Sahu about three years earlier; the articles do not resolve this difference.
Case status
Police’s alleged human-sacrifice theory
Police said they had a confessional statement, the alleged weapon, bloodstained clothing, forensic samples, and the recovered head.
Alternative account and unresolved discrepancies
The reports describe the killing as alleged and say the investigation was continuing; they do not report a court finding of guilt.
- Victim
- Santosh Kharsel, 45, was identified as being from Tebadamunda village; another report referred to his native village as Teparmunda.
- Accused
- Satrughna Sahu, 40, a resident of Bagada village under Deogaon Police Station.
- Body recovery
- Kharsel’s decapitated body was recovered from a pond in Bagada village.
- Head recovery
- Police exhumed the severed head from a pit inside Sahu’s puja room.
- Alleged weapon
- Police said they seized an iron katari, also described as a dagger.
- Evidence cited
- Police reported recovering bloodstained clothing, blood samples, puja materials, and other articles from Sahu’s house.
- Investigation status
- Sahu was arrested; police said they had ruled out the involvement of others while further investigation continued.
Sources
Odisha Man Beheads Villager, Buries Head To Get Back Wife; Arrested: Cops
Odisha man beheads villager, buries head in puja room to get back wife
Odisha Occult Horror: Man Allegedly Beheads Villager, Buries Head In Puja Room To Get Estranged Wife Back
Cops recover headless body in pond. Find accused, missing head, and a chilling motive – 20 metres away