Bhubaneswar lady journalist death: Police arrest husband who recently joined Indian Air Force

A day after a lady journalist was found dead on railway tracks in the Bapuji Nagar area of Bhubaneswar, Dhauli Police on Thursday arrested her husband Sridhar Jena. Jena was arrested after the family members of the deceased lady journalist Madhumita Parida alleged murder. Deceased Madhumita’s husband has been arrested under the new sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

The family members of Madhumita, who worked for a web channel, alleged that she had attempted suicide some days back. There was some dispute between Madhumita and her husband but the matter was resolved and she went to her husband’s house a day before her body was found on Wednesday.

Read More | Lady Journalist Found Dead On Railway Tracks in Bhubaneswar

On Monday, the family members lodged a complaint at Dhauli police station after Madhumita tried to end her life by consuming phenyl. The matter was resolved at police station. Madhumita’s husband, who works in the Indian Air Force, had submitted an undertaking in which he had agreed not to abuse or assault Madhumita and discontinue his relationship with other girls. After the incident, there was again dispute between the couple after Madhumita saw some divorce papers and came to know about his previous marriage. He also had illicit relationships with other girls, alleged deceased Madhumita’s family.

“There was a dispute and it was resolved at the police station level. However, we suspect Sirdhar and his brother are involved in the killing of my daughter. Police should investigate the matter. My daughter recently came to know about Sridhar’s previous marriage. We want stern action against him,” said deceased Madhumita’s father.

What Police Said On Bhubaneswar Lady Journalist's Death

Bhubaneswar DCP Prateek Singh said, “The duo was staying at Lingipur area. Husband Sridhar, who works in Air Force, was staying at another place. After marriage, Madhumita alleged frequent disturbances between them. On July 23, Madhumita lodged a complaint with Dhauli Police alleging that her husband had returned to Odisha on holiday for the last 12 days, but he is ignoring her.”

Singh further said that the deceased had alleged that she was feeling mentally harassed as Sridhar had threatened to give her divorce. “Later, the couple submitted in writing at the police station that the situation between them was normal and had no grievances. It appears that there was some dispute between them. The deceased saw something in Sridhar’s phone and learnt that he had some relationship with other women. It is for this reason that she was disturbed. Yesterday, her body was recovered from the railway tracks,” said Singh.

Singh said that Sridhar’s mobile phone has been seized and CCTV footage is being checked to analyse the movement of the deceased.

“It appears that there were some problems in their relationship. Sridhar was threatening to give her divorce. Dhauli Police today arrested Sridhar and produced him before court. During investigation, we will establish whether Sridhar was earlier married or not,” the Bhubaneswar DCP added.