Pregnant woman was shot dead by hubby to cover up extramarital affair: Odisha Police

Sundargarh police accused a man on Friday of orchestrating the murder of his seven-month-pregnant wife, in a shocking case that points to motivations rooted in an extramarital affair rather than burglary.

The incident came to light in Jhirdapali village of Sundargarh district, where police in Rourkela revealed that Deben Behera conspired and killed his wife Soumya Behera.

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According to police sources, the incident occurred shortly after midnight on Thursday. Accused Deben allegedly shot his wife Soumya, attempting to disguise the murder as a robbery attempt. Their marriage took place in February, but Deben had maintained a relationship with another woman before his marriage with Soumya. This alleged affair prompted Deben to plan and execute his wife's murder, as investigators reveal.

The key accused Deben, a local panchayat extension officer (PEO), along with his associates hatched a plan to kill his wife. As per the plan, the miscreants forced their way into the house and knocked on the door when the family was asleep on the intervening night.

As the victim opened the house door, the accused are said to have snatched her gold chain and mangalsutra. Panicking, she screamed, and Deben in guise opened fire at her, killing her on the spot. The incident occurred approximately 70 Km away from Rourkela.

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Police claim that to cover his tracks, Deben conspired with his brother-in-law (sister's husband), Satya Narayan Behera, an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) of police, to conceal the murder weapon inside a rice pot.

Authorities have taken Deben into custody and recovered the weapon used in the crime, as well as five live bullets and a vehicle. The probe continues as they piece together the full extent of this grim plot.