In a spine-chilling incident that has left the entire district stunned, a 25-year-old man allegedly hacked his mother to death with an axe on the first day of the Raja festival in Banta area of Bhadrak district.
The victim, Mamata Sahu, was killed in cold blood inside her own home at Jirina Gudia Sahi under Banta police station limits. The accused, her own son Pritam Sahu, has been arrested by police, who also seized the blood-stained axe used in the crime.
According to family members, the tragedy unfolded on Saturday when the household was buzzing with Raja celebrations. Traditional pithas (rice cakes) were being prepared and served. Gadadhar Sahu, the victim’s husband, told police that he had stepped out to the market after eating. When he returned, he found his wife’s body lying in a pool of blood in the courtyard. “She called Pritam to eat pitha. Minutes later, this happened,” the grieving husband reportedly said.
Pritam had been struggling with mental health issues for several months. Family sources revealed he had stopped eating properly and exhibited erratic “mad-like” behaviour for the past 7-8 months. He was taken for treatment from Bhadrak to Cuttack, but his condition reportedly did not improve fully. A week ago, he had called his parents back from his maternal grandfather’s house, claiming he was feeling better and was eating normally again.
Trusting their son’s recovery, the couple returned home — only for the unimaginable to occur during the festival.
Local residents described the incident as “unthinkable” and said the village is in mourning. Many pointed out that while family discord cannot be ruled out, Pritam’s unstable mental condition appears to be the primary trigger.
Banta police reached the spot immediately after receiving information, took the accused into custody, and launched a detailed investigation. Police officials said they are probing all angles, including any possible family dispute or hidden motives, though preliminary inquiries point strongly towards the accused’s deteriorating mental health.
