Fear Among Villagers After Five Bodies Vanish From Swargadwar Cremation Ground In Odisha, Probe Underway

Residents of a coastal village in Odisha's Bhadrak district have been left shocked and fearful after five recently buried bodies were discovered missing from a cremation ground. The incident, reported from Maninathpur village along the banks of the Baitarani river, has prompted police to begin a formal inquiry into what locals say is a recurring and deeply disturbing pattern.

Complaint Filed After Discovery

Police said the disappearance came to light on Thursday night at the Swargadwar cremation ground under Bhandaripokhari police station limits. The site is traditionally used for burial after funeral rites in the village.

"I have received a complaint from the villagers of Maninathpur on Sunday about the disappearance of five bodies from the village cremation ground," said Rajlakshmi Nayak, inspector in-charge (IIC) of Bhandaripokhari police station.

According to officials, the missing bodies belonged to Khageswar Samal, Hatabandhu Beuria, Kartik Nayak, Saraswati Behera and Kalandi Behera. All five had died within the last two months.

A Pattern Villagers Say Isn't New

Local residents insist the latest case is not an isolated incident. Similar discoveries have reportedly been made several times over the past decade.

Solampur panchayat representative Paramananda Nayak said that in 2016, villagers found a child's body had been dug out two months after burial. In the same year, the body of Anam Behera was also exhumed. A year later, the bodies of Basanta Das, who died in a road accident, and headmaster Basudev Das also went missing from the same cremation ground.

More cases surfaced in June 2023 when three bodies disappeared, leading villagers to lodge a complaint. Another disturbing discovery was made on April 1, 2025. During a tenth-day ritual, the son of Rukmini Samal, who had died of cardiac arrest, found her grave dug up and the body missing.

At that time, villagers reported finding liquor and water bottles at the burial site. Around 200 metres away, decomposed flesh and pieces of clothing were recovered. Her husband Srimanta had filed a complaint with the police.

Fear, Rumours and Allegations

The repeated incidents have fuelled widespread fear and speculation in the area. Some villagers suspect the bodies may have been stolen for occult practices, scientific use or other unknown purposes. Residents have also alleged that earlier complaints were not taken seriously enough.

Many families now worry about performing funeral rites at the same cremation ground and have demanded stronger monitoring and security.

Police Order Detailed Investigation

Following the latest complaint, Bhadrak Superintendent of Police Manoj Rout ordered a formal probe into the matter.

"The IIC Bhandaripokhari police station was directed to inquire into the incidents and submit a report," he said.

Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause behind the disappearances. Police said they will examine past cases along with the latest one to determine whether the incidents are connected.