Odisha sarpanch’s husband hacked to death in Sonepur

A shocking incident of brutal murder has been reported from Gajabandh panchayat under Dunguripali block in Odisha’s Sonepur district, where the husband of the sitting sarpanch was hacked to death with sharp weapons on Thursday night.

The deceased has been identified as Ballabh Kheti, former sarpanch of Gajabandh and husband of current sarpanch Basanti Kheti.

According to reports, Ballabh was returning home when he was ambushed near Pandarapali village by unidentified miscreants who attacked him with sharp-edged weapons, fatally striking him on the head.

Locals discovered him lying in a pool of blood and rushed him to the Dunguripali Community Health Centre. However, doctors there declared him dead.

Following the incident, a team from Rampur Police Station reached the hospital and sent the body for post-mortem, and launched an investigation.

Meanwhile, the Police have detained two individuals for questioning and are on the lookout for at least two more suspects who are reportedly absconding.

While the motive behind the murder remains unclear, the incident has triggered panic in the area. Police have stepped up their inquiry, and further details are awaited as the investigation progresses.