The woman, a resident of Ratagar village under Banki police limits, allegedly faked her disappearance on Monday morning during the immersion of Maa Mangala deity. Villagers believed she had been swept away after her puja items and belongings were spotted on the riverbank.
The incident triggered panic, with the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and three fire service units launching an intensive three-day search in the river.
The mystery ended when police traced the woman -- identified as Swati (name changed) -- to Chudanga Sahi in Puri, where she was staying with her lover. The duo was detained on Tuesday night.
Police confirmed that the woman had not drowned but had staged her disappearance. She is being questioned and will be handed over to Banki police for further inquiry. Investigators are probing whether the escape was spontaneous or premeditated.
What began as a suspected tragedy has now turned into a tale of deception, leaving villagers shocked and police digging deeper into the case.