A retired doctor couple was brutally murdered in their house in the posh Sailashree Vihar area under the Chandrasekharpur police limits here on Sunday morning.
The deceased Dr Prafulla Mishra, an ophthalmologist, and his wife Dr Susama Mishra, a specialist in obstetrics and gynaecology, were found killed in their house at plot number VIM 608 at Sailashree Vihar.
The gory incident took place while the couple was alone in the home.
According to locals, the couple had visited the nearby Jagannath temple in morning between 5.30 am and 6 am. Sunday was the birthday of Susama Mishra. The incident occurred after their return from the temple.
The couple was found with multiple injuries on faces and heads. The body of Prafulla was lying on the bed with leg tied while the body of his wife was found inside the Puja room.
Police Commissioner Dr RP Sharma, DCP Satyabrata Bhoi along with a forensic team and sniffer dogs rushed to the spot.
The Commissionerate Police has formed five special teams, including one led by DCP Bhoi, to investigate the case.
“We have formed teams and investigation has already been started. We found the articles in the house scattered. It appeared as if they were searching for valuables, cash, jewellery and other things. We are investigating into various aspects to find out the motive of the crime,” said Commissioner of Police Sharma.
“There were injury marks on the neck of Dr Prafulla Mishra and it appeared that he was strangulated to death. Dr Susama Mishra had head injury and she was hit with hard blunt weapon,” Sharma added.
Police suspected that the assailants might have committed the crime with loot intention as the couple was staying alone in the house. One of the three sons of the couple was staying in Patia. Meanwhile, reports said three house maids were working in the doctor couple’s house. While police detained one, the other two were reportedly absconding following the incident.