In a heart-wrenching scene at Bhubaneswar’s Khandagiri Police Station, Neha Nayak stood with her deceased five-day-old son, demanding justice against her husband, Gangadhar Nayak.
Neha alleges that Gangadhar’s refusal to provide a health card or sign critical medical forms led to the premature infant’s death at Hi-Tech Hospital.
The couple, married in 2024 after a love marriage, faced severe marital discord within a month, with Neha accusing Gangadhar of dowry demands and physical abuse. Neha, originally from Puri, left Gangadhar’s home in Dumduma, Bhubaneswar, to return to her parental home, where she discovered her pregnancy. Gangadhar allegedly denied paternity and refused to support the newborn’s medical needs. The premature infant required urgent care, but without Gangadhar’s consent for the health card, treatment was delayed, leading to the child’s death. Carrying her son’s body, Neha protested at the police station, urging authorities to arrest Gangadhar.
The Khandagiri Police, led by officer-in-charge Abhimanyu Das, have registered a case, including dowry-related charges, and are investigating the infant’s death in collaboration with medical professionals. Further action awaits the investigation’s outcome, with Neha’s mother, Kabita Nayak, also supporting the dowry harassment claims.
This tragic incident highlights the devastating consequences of domestic disputes and systemic delays in healthcare access, leaving a grieving mother seeking accountability.
