Odisha shocker: Girl killed, cremated by father, stepmother; sister lodges complaint seeking justice

In a shocking incident, a girl was allegedly killed by her father and stepmother at Bijipur area under Gop block of Puri district. Such allegations have been levelled by the deceased Monali Moharana’s sister Ranjita.

According to Ranjita, her sister Monali was killed by her father Durgacharan, stepmother and uncle. The trio also cremated Monali’s body and cleaned up the crematorium in a bid to destroy evidence, alleged Ranjita.

Ranjita has brought such allegations against her father, stepmother and others as they used to torture her sister Monali and were against her studies and were forcing her to do household work.

“My family always used to torture my sister and they were against her studies. I came to know about my sister’s death from other villagers as my own family did not inform me,” said Ranjita.

Ranjita further said,“When I came to the village, they (family) had already conducted the last rites of my sister." Sources said Ranjita and her deceased sister Monali were staying with their father Durgacharan after their mother’s death in 2008. Later, Durgacharan married another woman in 2020.

Both the sisters were allegedly harassed by their stepmother, alleged locals. Ranjita is working at a private company in Kolkata and her sister always used to narrate torture ordeal to her over the phone. Based on Ranjita’s complaint, police have detained Durgacharan and further investigation is underway.

“We have registered a case. A team visited the crematorium and collected some material evidence which will be sent to forensic lab for further examination,” said a senior police official.

(Reported by Sanjay Pati)