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In a span of just two weeks, Odisha has witnessed a chilling surge in violent crimes allegedly triggered by suspicions of extramarital affairs.
From murder to arson and premeditated attacks, at least five disturbing cases across districts like Ganjam, Gajapati, Jagatsinghpur and Khordha have shaken the public and the law enforcement.
Gajapati: Alleged Murder in a Love Marriage Gone Wrong
In Seranga village of Gajapati district, a disturbing sequence of events unfolded when a man allegedly killed his wife before dying by suicide.
The victim, Monika, was found dead in the couple’s house on May 26. Reports stated that her husband, Narendra Paika, was discovered hanging from a tree in a nearby forest later that day.
Police recovered a video in which Narendra blamed Monika for infidelity and accused her of maintaining an extramarital affair. The case has been registered as a suspected homicide and unnatural death, with a senior police officer overseeing the probe.
Paradip: Arson Attack Over Suspected Affair
On June 2, in the Nuabazar area of Paradip, a man allegedly set his neighbour’s house on fire after accusing his wife of having an affair with the neighbour.
According to eyewitnesses, he dragged his wife to the property before igniting it. The house was severely damaged, though no injuries were reported.
The man later fled with his children. In a media interaction, the accused claimed that he acted in a fit of rage after overhearing a suspicious phone call.
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Ganjam: Man Stabbed to Death, Wife and Father-in-law Under Suspicion
In Govindapur village under Kabisuryanagar police limits, a man named Kalia was found dead with multiple stab wounds on June 2.
The prime suspects were his wife and her father. Family members of the deceased claim that Kalia’s wife was having an affair and that the murder was committed after an argument escalated.
Forensic teams have collected evidence, and an investigation is ongoing. While no arrests have been confirmed, both suspects are under close scrutiny.
Bhubaneswar: Woman Allegedly Murdered by Husband After Heated Argument
A day earlier, on June 1, Bhubaneswar’s Mancheswar area saw another tragic incident when a man, identified as Gupteswar Behera, allegedly strangled his wife Nandita to death after a violent altercation.
He then abandoned her body at Capital Hospital and fled. The victim’s family accused him of repeated domestic abuse and claimed the final confrontation was triggered by suspicions of infidelity. A formal complaint has been filed, and police are on the lookout for the accused.
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Berhampur: Tenant Kills Retired Police Officer After Relationship Turns Violent
The most shocking of the cases occurred in Berhampur, where a woman allegedly set her landlord on fire following a fallout in their alleged intimate relationship.
The victim, Harihar Sahu, a retired Reserve Inspector, later succumbed to his injuries in SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.
The accused tenant, Sudeshna Jena, reportedly confessed during police interrogation to planning and executing the act. She has been taken into custody, and legal proceedings are underway.
Pattern of Possession, Rage, and Denial
In each case, the catalyst appears to be a breakdown in trust and communication, often worsened by suspicion, emotional volatility, and a sense of betrayal.
With the state reeling under this spate of violence, concerns are being raised whether these are just isolated crimes, or do they signal a deeper crisis in personal relationships and societal response mechanisms.
