Man kills wife in Odisha’s Gajapati over family dispute at his in-laws’ house, nabbed while fleeing

A domestic dispute in Gajapati district’s Mohana block turned fatal on Sunday night when a man allegedly hacked his wife to death with a sharp weapon at her parental home in Kunkuni village. The victim has been identified as Risma Bagasingh of Kunkuni area. She had married Ananta Bagasingh of Bramhani village under Pakalima police limits in neighbouring Kandhamal district.

Sources reported that on Sunday night, Ananta visited his in-laws’ house and allegedly attacked Risma with a sharp cleaver following a heated argument. She sustained grievous injuries and collapsed in a pool of blood. Family members rushed her towards Mohana Medical Centre, but she succumbed to her injuries on the way.

The victim’s younger sister allegedly caught Ananta while he was attempting to flee through an open window after the crime.

"He hacked her to death. All of it was so fast that my daughter could not even scream for help. My younger daughter went upstairs to call her and saw that he (Ananta) was fleeing after killing her,” said the deceased’s mother.

Reports then stated that officers from Mohana police station reached the village soon after receiving information, seized the body, and took Ananta into custody for questioning.

Financial Disputes Behind Tensions

According to family members, the couple had a history of marital discord. Around two months ago, Risma had left her in-laws home following repeated quarrels and had been living with her brother in Kunkuni.

Relatives alleged that Risma, who worked at a brick kiln, was the primary earner in the family. They claimed that Ananta frequently took her earnings, spending the money on alcohol and gambling, which often led to fights between the couple.

Meanwhile, the body has been sent for post-mortem examination, and further investigation is underway. Police are examining whether the killing was premeditated and are recording statements from family members and witnesses.