A Khordha District and Sessions Court sentenced temple priest Biju Panda of Kalarahanga Shiva Temple to life imprisonment for sexually exploiting and murdering a woman in May 2023.
The victim and her husband had visited the temple seeking blessings for a child. Panda exploited their vulnerability, convincing the woman to stay at the temple under a religious vow. During her stay, she became pregnant and maintained contact with her family, which angered Panda.
In the ninth month of pregnancy, the woman expressed her wish to return home. Panda objected, leading to a heated argument. In a fit of rage, he poured kerosene on her and set her ablaze. Locals rushed to rescue her and took her to the hospital, but she succumbed to injuries during treatment.
Police from Mancheswar station arrested Panda soon after the incident and filed charges. After three years of trial, the court delivered its verdict. Government lawyer Rashmi Ranjan Brahma said the conviction was based on testimony from 19 witnesses and 24 documents. The court found Panda guilty under Section 302 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and awarded life imprisonment.
