Woman allegedly murdered, body later burnt in Jajpur

Dasarathpur: A woman was allegedly murdered and later her body was burnt early today morning at Jafarpur under Mangalpur police limits in Jajpur district.

The deceased was identified as Sanjulata Mallick (48), the wife of Jagabandhu from the village.

According to a police source, Sanjulata was spotted lying dead in a pit located around 80 feet away behind her house. She had partially charred and smoke was emitting from the remains of her saree at around 8.00 am. Two dry leaves of a coconut tree were wrapped around her body. Loose straws were seen lying in the pit. About 80 percent of the woman’s clothing had already been gutted.

Sanjulata was lying stretched with her hands raised up and face upward. However, no sign of the woman wreathing in pain could be noticed. No injury marks could be noticed on her mortal remains. A Kerosene container with its cap open has been found in a cattle shed nearby.

On the other hand, the victim’s elder son and elder daughter-in-law have left for Kerala following the alleged incident, the senior police official added.

Meanwhile, the victim woman’s brother Ashok Mallick from Kasaba village lodged an FIR at Mangalpur police station alleging that his sister has been murdered by her husband Jagabandhu, their elder son and elder daughter-in-law.

Acting on the FIR, Mangalpur police have registered a case (No-141/23 under Sections 302 and 34) in this connection against Sanjulata’s husband, elder son Bipin (23) and elder daughter-in-law Radha (21) and launched a probe.

“My sister was being frequently beaten and scolded by her elder son for the past several months. The key accused Bipin had been asking her for Rs 1.5 lakh and threatening her with dire consequences in case not given,” Sanjulata’s brother mentioned in the FIR.

Besides, Jagabandhu has said that the woman was being beaten by Bipin and she committed suicide after losing her mental balance.