Mysterious death of minor girl in Niali leaves whiff of honour killing

Cuttack: Mysterious death of a minor girl who was also cremated by the family members in Gothapatana Village under Niali Block of Cuttack district has raised suspicion of honour killing allegedly over the love affair of the deceased.

Following complaints, Niali police today detained the girl's uncle, aunt along with two others from the family and are questioning them, reports said.

According to sources, the minor girl died under mysterious circumstances last Saturday but her uncle and another relative neither informed the villagers nor registered a complaint with the police and rather decided to cremate her.

The matter came to light after a few villagers raised suspicion over the missing girl and informed the police.

Police reached the spot along with a scientific team and has initiated an investigation into the incident, sources said.

Sraban Kumar Maharana, IIC Niali Police, said “As per preliminary investigation, the family of the girl, in order to destroy the evidence, disposed her body without informing any of the villagers. This is what created doubts in the minds of the people and police. Villagers have alleged that the family members killed the girl.”

Maharana further added, “Investigation is on and the scientific team has also been called. It has recovered a few things from the spot where the girl was cremated. Strict action will be taken after getting the report.”

However, the exact reason behind her death and her family’s decision to cremate her without informing anybody is yet to be ascertained.

In a similar incident, a young girl’s body was recovered today after it was buried by her father under mysterious circumstances in Bahal Sahi under Chhendipada police limits in Angul on May 21.

As per reports, the father of the girl had buried her in a nearby forest. Later, the body was recovered in the presence of the magistrate.

As per initial investigation, the father of the deceased said that he decided to bury the body of her daughter out of fear when he found her dead, said police.