Another case that has gripped Odisha, the mysterious death of a 20-year-old final-year arts student from Badapada College in Pattamundai, Kendrapara district, continues to baffle investigators.
On August 6, the victim, Sangita, allegedly poured petrol on herself and set herself ablaze in her home in Kathiapada village, under the Badapada Panchayat. Four days after the incident, the circumstances surrounding her death remain shrouded in mystery, with the Kendrapara police and a scientific team conducting a rigorous investigation.
The incident has sparked outrage and speculation across the state, with locals and residents of Odisha awaiting answers. Kendrapara Superintendent of Police (SP) Siddharth Kataria has personally overseen the investigation, visiting the site twice alongside a forensic team to meticulously examine the scene. The room where Sangita died, a staircase area, the adjacent kitchen, the rooftop grill, and the main door—locked from the inside—have all been scrutinised. Notably, the lock and latch on the door remained intact, despite Sangita’s parents reportedly breaking it open with a shovel to enter the house after returning from Pattamundai Hospital.
The unusually clean state of the death scene has further deepened police suspicions, prompting an in-depth probe into the circumstances. Initial investigations point to possible foul play or external pressures leading to Sangita’s death. Allegations have surfaced that Sangita was blackmailed by her male friend, Pramod Behera, a resident of Terohi village in Pattamundai block. Six months prior, Sangita and her family had approached the Pattamundai Rural Police Station, alleging that Pramod had threatened to make obscene videos viral, causing significant distress. However, the police reportedly dismissed the complaint at the time, a decision that has now led to the transfer of the station’s officer-in-charge, Dhiraj Lenka, and ASI Sailendra Palai.
Pramod has been brought from Chennai for questioning and is currently being interrogated at an undisclosed location. Complicating the investigation, Sangita’s father, Sashikant Parida, has repeatedly changed his statements and omitted any mention of Pramod in his written complaint, creating hurdles for the police. Authorities have directed him to submit a revised complaint to clarify inconsistencies. Meanwhile, Pramod’s family claims Sangita was harassed and tortured by her own family for wanting to marry a poor youth, asserting that Pramod is being falsely implicated. They allege that Sangita’s family is responsible for her death, a claim that has added further complexity to the case.
The investigation has gained urgency, with the police and forensic team working tirelessly over the past two days. On the evening of August 9, Sangita’s father and brother were summoned to the Police Station for further questioning.
The case has raised questions about whether Sangita’s death was a suicide driven by blackmail, family pressure, or something more sinister. As the police delve deeper, the people of Odisha await the truth behind this incident.
