Body Of OUAT Assistant Professor Found Hanging In Her Quarters In Bhubaneswar

An assistant professor of Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology (OUAT) was found hanging at her residential quarters in Bhubaneswar on Thursday night.

The deceased identified as Basanti Jena was the Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College Of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry.

She was staying with her husband, Debi Prasanna Das who is also an Assistant Professor in the department of plant pathology of the varsity and a six-year-old son in the staff quarters. The couple was in a love relationship since 2004 and got married in 2012.

As per reports, when her husband was out with their son for a walk, she reportedly locked the main gate from inside and hanged herself from the ceiling inside a room of the quarters.

“When I, my son and a friend living nearby came back from the walk at around 8.30 pm, I saw the main gate locked from inside. I thought she must have locked the gate in anger and waited for some time,” said her husband.

“When she did not come outside after half an hour, I climbed the boundary wall and entered the house to check on her between 9 pm and 9.30 pm. As I entered the front room, I saw her body hanging from the ceiling. I immediately untied her and called 108 ambulance. On reaching the hospital, the doctors declared her brought dead,” added Das.

“Our son is six-year-old and have not spoken due to which she was under mental stress. We are married for 10 years. She came home at around 5.30 pm and everything was well till 6 pm. As usual, I had taken my son for a walk and when I came back, I saw her body hanging,” said Das.

Khandagiri Police reached the spot after getting information and started an investigation to ascertain the exact cause behind her death. Her body has been sent to Capital Hospital for post-mortem.

On the other hand, the family members of Jena alleged that the couple was not on good terms and Das was having extra-marital affair.

“My brother-in-law called me over the phone at around 11 pm and gave the news. They were not on good terms. My nephew is suffering from some abnormalities and my brother-in-law was not giving him time due to which the couple often fought. Besides, my brother-in-law is an alcoholic and nani (elder sister) used to oppose that. She had also told father about his extra-marital affair,” claimed the brother of the deceased.

(Edited By Rashmi Ranjan Mohanty)