HAZARIBAG: A Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) employee was allegedly hacked to death by unidentified assailants who broke into his house in the Mengate locality of Giddi police station area in Hazaribag district late on Saturday night. The assailants allegedly tied up his wife, Sonali Devi, and looted jewellery before fleeing.The victim, Mangalesh Pal alias Happy (30), worked as a data entry operator at CCL’s Amrapali project. The incident came to light on Sunday morning, triggering panic in the locality as residents gathered outside his house. Police have launched an investigation, and a forensic science laboratory (FSL) team and a dog squad have been called to the spot.According to Sonali’s statement to the police, Happy was watching his mobile phone while sitting on a sofa in the front room when he asked her to open the main door. She then went to sleep in another room. Around 12.30 am, two masked men entered the house and assaulted Happy before taking him to an inner room.Hearing the commotion, Sonali tried to intervene but was allegedly assaulted as well. The assailants reportedly took her mangalsutra and other gold ornaments from a cupboard. They also allegedly attempted to strangle her with a mobile phone cable before tying her hands, legs and mouth.The incident came to light after neighbours heard Sonali banging on the door with her feet. A local youth identified as Chhotu reportedly climbed over the boundary wall and opened the main gate. Residents freed her and informed the Giddi police.Police found Happy lying in another room. He had severe injuries to his head, neck and abdomen, allegedly caused by a sharp weapon. His right hand had also been severed. Sonali reportedly told investigators that Happy had been receiving repeated phone calls for the past two days and appeared worried. He had told her that the calls were related to his duty.Happy had fractured his leg while playing volleyball in front of his house on October 5. He was admitted to a hospital for around 10 days and returned home three days before the incident with his leg in a plaster cast.Giddi police station officer-in-charge Md Iqbal Hussain said police were examining all possible angles, including robbery and other circumstances surrounding the killing.“The FSL team and dog squad have been called to the spot to collect evidence. We are investigating the case from all possible angles. The motive behind the murder and the identity of those involved will be established after the investigation,” the OC said.
