Scar of separation! 60-yo Odisha woman’s cremation delayed by 3 days amid marital discord!

In a story filled with emotion and irony, a 60-year-old woman’s body has remained uncremated for three days — not due to official delay, but because of a personal vow. The incident from Balasore town has left the community deeply moved.

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The deceased, identified as Chhabirani Dey, reportedly died of a cardiac arrest early Sunday morning. Her separated husband, Srustidhar Dey, a retired regional manager of a nationalised bank, allegedly refused to perform her last rites. He insisted that since the couple had already been legally divorced, he would not take part in any funeral rituals.

Local residents intervened and persuaded him to at least stay near the mortal remains until their only son, currently in Canada, returns to India. Villagers say the strained marriage and years of separation had cast a shadow over the couple’s relationship.

It is said that Srustidhar remarried after their split.

As the family waits for the lone son’s arrival, the lifeless body of Chhabirani still lies in a glass casket — a haunting reminder of love turned distant and of a relationship unresolved even in death.

“I had divorced her following frequent altercations. The necessary paperwork had also been carried out in court. I came here after hearing the news, but villagers have detained me. They are forcing me to perform the last rites,” the elderly man said.

“On humanitarian grounds, I do not deny to cremate her body,” Srustidhar added.

“Since the woman has no one else in her family, villagers have detained the elderly man (Srustidhar), compelling him to perform the last rites and then leave. He must discharge his duties as the husband,” a resident, Bidyapati Patra, expressed.

Reported By: Satyajit Senapati