Sambalpur, June 25: Police have cracked the murder case of Kashayap Bag, 36, whose body was exhumed on May 4 from behind his house at Paikmal in Bargarh district.

The police officials have arrested the wife of the deceased, Bindu Bag, 32, her lover Premananda Dansena, 35, and Bindu's cousin sister, Nirupama Seth, 26. in this connection.

Investigation has revealed that extra-marital relationship was the reason behind the murder.

The deceased worked as a labourer in Tamil Nadu. He intended to come to Paikmal to witness the Baisakh Mela in April and therefore informed his wife over phone that he was arriving on April 28. When Bindu came to know about it, she hatched a conspiracy with Premanand to kill Kashayap. They also took the help of Nirupama.

Kashyap arrived at his house at Jamunanagar in Paikmal on April 28 evening. Bindu had allegedly mixed sleeping tablets in his drink and served it to him. After he consumed excess alcohol, Premanand attacked him with an axe, but it hit Kashyap's chin instead of the neck, causing severe injury. Bindu then again made Kashayap drink more alcohol mixed with sleeping tablets. He then became unconscious.

On April 30, Premanand again came at night. He, along with Bindu and Nirupama, hung Kashyap from a wooden beam of the house for nearly two hours. The three accused then took the body behind the house and buried it. They fled Paikmal after the incident and went to Raipur and later to Mathura.

After rumours spread about the mysterious disappearance of Kashayap, Paikmal police visited the house and saw a newly laid concrete floor behind the house. This raised suspicion and after digging the place, they recovered the body. Moreover, since Bindu was missing, the cops had strong doubts about her involvement and they began tracking her.

Bargarh superintendent of police, Ashis Singh said after getting a tip off, the police arrested the accused from Bargarh.

"The accused have been booked under Section 302, 201 and 34 of IPC. They will be forwarded to court today," said police.