BERHAMPUR: Gangapur police in Ganjam district arrested a 33-year-old man on Monday for allegedly killing his wife at Nahada village under Aska block.
Police said accused Sujit Biswal slit the throat of his wife Minati Pradhan (31) and repeatedly stabbed her in the abdomen on Sunday.
According to police, Sujit and Minati developed a love relationship when they were in college. Later, the accused reportedly abducted Minati and took her to Surat. After staying there for about a year, he reportedly left her at her parents’ house and fled.
The matter reached Gangapur police station and was subsequently settled. The duo later married in court. However, as their families did not formally accept the marriage, Minati continued to live with her parents.
Whenever Sujit, who worked in Surat, returned to his native village, he would reportedly visit Minati’s house and create disturbances. During the past couple of months, the accused had allegedly threatened Minati over phone calls and messages, warning that he would kill her father Rohit and brother Gouri Shankar, police said.
“On Sunday morning, Sujit returned to the village and waited for an opportunity to attack Minati. When the woman’s father and brother went out to take bath in the nearby river, he entered their house, locked the door and stabbed Minati in the kitchen. After committing the murder, Sujit reportedly locked himself inside the house,” said Gangapur IIC Bana Bihari Pradhan.
Receiving information, police reached the spot and detained the accused. A scientific team examined the crime scene and the body was sent to Aska hospital for autopsy, said Pradhan.
Police said after committing the crime, the accused opened the cooking gas cylinder valve in an apparent attempt to set the house afire and make Minati’s death appear accidental. However, arrival of her family members led to his crime being discovered.
Police sources said Sujit was allegedly jailed in connection with a murder case at Surat. He was released on bail a few months ago. A detailed investigation has been launched to establish the exact sequence of events and the motive behind the alleged murder, said the IIC.