A married woman named Sumitra Rana died under suspicious circumstances in Pourkela village of Karlamunda block, Kalahandi district on Friday afternoon.
Her husband, Subash, son of Makhan Rana, married her five years ago. The couple has a four-year-old son. Subash reportedly works outside the state. On Friday, Subash’s family informed Sumitra’s father Alekh Rana that she had hanged herself.
Alekh Rana rushed to the village with relatives in the evening. He alleged that his daughter was murdered by her in-laws, including Makhan Rana, Bendla Rana, and sisters-in-law Golapi and Mohini. He claimed they tortured her earlier as well. He lodged a complaint at the Risida police outpost late at night.
Police registered a case at Rampur police station under case number 146. Risida outpost officer Manua Bidika detained the four accused for questioning. On Saturday morning, a scientific team, including Rampur police station officer Sanyukta Padahan, Karlamunda additional tehsildar Suvendu Patel, and Bidika, visited the spot. They conducted inquest proceedings and sent the body for a post-mortem to Rampur. SI Kavita Bag was assigned as the investigating officer.
Police confirmed interrogation of the detained family members is underway. The incident triggered widespread discussion after Sumitra’s paternal family refused to touch her body at the spot, citing suspicion and grief.
