Odisha woman’s last rites performed in front of in-laws’ house after 'suspicious' death

In a harrowing incident, the family members of a woman whose dead body was found under mysterious circumstances on Thursday performed her last rites in front of her in-laws’ house at Haripur village under Bhogarai police limits in Balasore district on Friday. 

As per sources, Ramakrushna, son of Surat Mahana of Haripur village, had married Sasmita three years ago. Yesterday, the couple entered into an altercation over some issues. Later, Sasmita’s body was recovered from a closed room under mysterious circumstances. 

Subsequently, the deceased’s mother had lodged a written complaint at Bhogarai police station alleging her daughter had been murdered. Acting on the complaint, the police arrested Surat. However, the deceased’s father-in-law, mother-in-law and other family members absconded. 

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Today, after post-mortem, the body was handed over to the family members.

The irate family members performed the last rites of the deceased in front of her in-laws’ locked house. 

“I demand justice for my daughter. Stern action should be taken against those who killed my daughter so that a message would go out to the society,” said Basant Kumar Behera, father of the deceased said.

“There is no one in the house of the deceased’s in-laws. The deceased’s family members and people from the panchayat performed the last rites in front of the house. If the deceased’s family members don’t perform her death rituals, the panchayat will do it,” said Sumati Patra, local Sarpanch. 

The incident has since been the centre of discussions in the locality.