Girl killed, body burnt in Odisha’s Puri: Father, three neighbours arrested

Puri: In a significant development in the alleged killing of a minor girl by her family members at Bijipur village under Gop police limits in Odisha’s Puri district, police have arrested the father of the deceased and three others.

The arrested have been identified as girl’s father Durga Charan Maharana (45), Susanta Maharana (24), Nakula Maharana(65) and Siba Maharana (35) of the village.

Considering the gravity of the case, Puri SP has directed Manobrata Satapathy, DSP, IUCAW to take up investigation of the case.

Furthermore, the case will be treated as a ‘Red Flag Case’, police sources said.

On the basis of a complaint lodged by Ranjita Maharana, elder sister of deceased Monali Maharana, Gop police have registered a case under Sections 302, 201 and 34 of the IPC against Durga Charan Maharana and his associates.

Monali, a 17-year-old girl, was allegedly killed by her father and step-mother on January 9 night while the body was burnt by them to eliminate evidence.

According to reports, Durga Charan had in 2020 married Mamata Ojha as his first wife died in 2018. Monali was allegedly tortured by her father, step-mother and the woman’s brother Jeevan Ojha.

On being informed about Monali’s death, Ranjita, who resides outside for her job, reached the village and later went to the Gop police station, where she lodged a complaint alleging that Durga Charan, Mamata and Jeevan were involved in killing her younger sister.

As per allegation, the accused burnt the body at the village cremation ground late night and hid the ashes.

A scientific team has recovered ashes, burnt bone pieces and wood from the spot while those will be sent for DNA analysis.