Woman’s family alleges dowry death; halts post-mortem in Kendrapara

A grief-stricken family in Odisha’s Kendrapara district has refused to allow the post-mortem of a pregnant woman who died allegedly due to dowry harassment nearly two days ago. The family has been demanding immediate arrest of all accused, as police continue to probe the incident, sources said on Tuesday.

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According to sources, in an allegedly suspicious death case reported from Badamatha village of Baradanga panchayat under Mahakalapada police limits in Kendrapara district, the body of Namita Bhuiyan, a five-month pregnant woman, still remains un-autopsied even two days after her untimely death under mysterious circumstances. The unusual delay basically stems from the deceased’s family refusing post-mortem until all the accused are arrested.

The family alleges that Namita was murdered for dowry by her in-laws. Despite attempts by the local Sub-divisional Police Officer (SDPO) to negotiate with the family and facilitate the autopsy, the deadlock continues. The event has sparked public outrage and renewed focus on persistent dowry-related violence in the region.

As per the complaint filed at the Mahakalapada Police Station, Namita had been routinely tortured for dowry since her marriage. On June 21, she reportedly called her mother, detailing how her in-laws had beaten her and demanded money from her parental home. That same evening, her husband, Chagali Bhuiyan, informed the woman’s paternal family that she was admitted to Kendrapara district headquarters hospital (DHH).

But by the time her family arrived, Namita had died. Her relatives believe the beating led to her death. Acting on the complaint, police have detained her husband and father-in-law, Trilochan Bhuiyan, and a further probe is underway. However, other accused in the case remain at large, prompting the family’s firm stand against the post-mortem.

The family is demanding justice and immediate arrests before they allow the post-mortem, holding onto their daughter’s body as both proof and protest.

“Acting on a report (FIR) lodged by the victim’s family, a murder case has been registered and two persons have been detained in connection with it, the prime accused (Chagali) and the woman’s father-in-law (Trilochan). The bereaved family has been demanding the arrest of all accused persons and hence are not cooperating with us (local police) in getting the post-mortem done,” Mahakalapada police station IIC Rajendra Mohapatra said to OTV.