Khallikote: A woman was allegedly beaten to death over the dowry demand by her in-laws at Benigouri village under Rambha police limits in Ganjam district, yesterday. The incident came to the fore after the victim’s parents lodged an FIR in this regard with local police, today.

The deceased woman was identified as K Namita Patra, daughter of Raghunath Patra, who belonged to Nimapalli village under Purushottampur police limits in the district.

According to a source, Namita had previously married Santosh Patra, son of one Sanyasi Patra, in 2023. As then demanded by Namita’s in-laws, she had brought several household articles and gold ornaments as dowry given by her parents. After nearly two months of her marriage, Namita was allegedly demanded more dowry and was asked to bring Rs 2 Lakh from her parents.

Namita had informed her parents about this. Later on, she was mentally and physically tortured as her father expressed his inability to give the demanded amount. The matter was earlier settled several times in different village meetings. Last night, Namita was tortured again by her in-laws.

Allegedly, the woman was beaten to death by her husband and other members of the family.

Acting on the FIR, Rambha police reached the spot and seized the woman’s body, and sent it to a nearby hospital for post-mortem. Police have detained her husband Santosh and are quizzing him to gather more information. A detailed probe into the dowry death is underway.