Father and son lock each other out in property dispute in Odisha

A bizarre family feud took a dramatic turn in the Gandhi Nagar 4th Line area of Berhampur, where a father and son locked each other out of their shared residence amidst an ongoing property dispute.

According to sources, Prakash Kothia, the father, locked the house from the inside, fearing confrontation with his son Deepak Kothia, with whom he has been engaged in a prolonged family quarrel. In response, Deepak allegedly locked the house from the outside and left the premises, effectively trapping his father inside.

Following a distress call, the Berhampur Town Police arrived at the scene and intervened. The lock was broken, and Prakash was rescued.

The underlying conflict appears to stem from a dispute over property ownership and family relations. Prakash has accused his son of frequent abuse and threats, claiming this prompted him to secure himself inside the house. On the other hand, Deepak, who is currently working as a Junior Engineer in Rayagada, has filed a counter-allegation. He alleged that his father harassed his wife for additional dowry and forcefully drove her out of the house.

“Whenever he comes here, he makes a nuisance and fights with me. He stays in Jajpur road throughout the year, but he had come a few days back and left after fighting with me. He had come again today, so I did not open the door from inside for my safety because he would attack me. He left after locking the door from the outside,” alleged Prakash Kothia, the father.

On the other hand, the son Deepak Kothia claimed, “My sister and brother-in-law are the main conspirators to take away my ancestral property. They were not opening the house door, so I locked it from the outside.”

While the police have confirmed their involvement in resolving the immediate standoff, no formal statement has been issued regarding any legal proceedings or arrests related to the mutual allegations.

The incident has drawn attention to the growing number of intergenerational conflicts rooted in property disputes and strained family ties.