Torture of minor siblings in Odisha: Police arrest stepmom, father

A couple of days after a woman allegedly tortured her two minor stepchildren for eating a few additional pieces of biscuits, the Athagarh Police on Wednesday arrested the woman and her husband (father of the victims). The arrest came following a complaint filed by the mother of the two kids.

Police have booked the accused under sections: 307; 294; 323; 325; 506 and 34 of the IPC  

Reports said, the siblings – a 13-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl - were admitted to Athagarh Sub Divisional Hospital on October 30 after being brutally beaten up by their stepmother. As per the latest report, the girl was shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, as her condition was stated to be critical. 

According to sources, Sunil Kumar Nanda, a resident of Parthapur village in Banki, is staying in Ashok Nagar under Athagarh Police limits, with his second wife. His minor children born out of the first wedlock also stay with the couple while their mother is staying at their maternal uncle’s house in Khordha.

It is alleged that Sunil and his second wife used to physically torture the kids for several days. On October 30, the kids were also beaten ruthlessly after eating some biscuits. Later, the victims managed to come out of their house. Some local residents got to know of their ordeal and immediately informed the police.

Following a complaint, the police detained their stepmother for interrogation.