OUAT Assistant Professor Death: Family Demands Thorough Probe

A couple of days after the body of Basanti Jena, an Assistant Professor in the Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology (OUAT), was found hanging at her residential quarters in Bhubaneswar, her family members have demanded a detailed and proper probe into the case.

Family members of the deceased Assistant Professor, who are not ready to accept the suicide theory, said that a proper police investigation can only ascertain the exact reason behind her sudden death.

"If it is a case of suicide, the reason behind the same should be revealed. Who dialled 100 from my sister's mobile and what did the caller talk for 30 seconds with the emergency number attendant? The truth must come out,” demanded Diptikanta Jena, brother of the deceased.

The truth regarding the allegations of extra-marital affair linked to the case should also be investigated, Jena added.

Basanti lived with her husband Debi Prasanna Das, who is also an Assistant Professor in OUAT, and a six-year-old son in the staff quarters. The couple had tied the knots in 2012.

As per reports, on the fateful day, Basanti reportedly locked the main gate from inside and hanged herself from the ceiling fan inside a room in the quarters when her husband was out with their son for a walk.

The Khandagiri Police reached the spot after getting information and started an investigation. Her body was sent to Capital Hospital for post-mortem.

The family members of Basanti alleged that the couple was not on good terms and Debi Prasanna was having an extra-marital affair.

Meanwhile, the reaction of the police could not be obtained.