A day after the death of Dr Swetapadma Mishra, who allegedly committed suicide by jumping off Banalata Apartment at Saheed Nagar here, the parents of the deceased alleged that their daughter was tortured by her in-laws for dowry.
Swetapadma’s mother Snehalata Mishra said her daughter was being tortured mentally. “A few days ago, she asked me for Rs 80 lakh for setting up a nursing home and to purchase land. I have brought allegations against her father-in-law, mother-in-law and husband. They should be punished and sent to jail,” said Snehalata, adding, “My daughter used to say she had to tolerate everything for her son.”
On the other hand, the deceased’s husband Dr Arijit Mohapatra rejected the allegations made by his mother-in-law and said his wife was under treatment for schizophrenia. “I have all the documents regarding this. She was undergoing treatment under Dr Satyabrata Dash of the Apollo Hospital,” said Mohapatra.
The Commissionerate Police have started investigation in the matter. Twin City Commissioner of Police Dr RP Sharma visited the high-rise building from where the woman doctor fell and conducted an on-the-spot examination for any possible clues to the death.
“The investigation is still wide open. We have finished the first round of interrogation of the deceased’s in-laws. We have also talked to a few of her neighbours. We are investigating from all angles,” said Bhubaneswar DCP Satyabrata Bhoi.
However, the DCP denied chances of anyone pushing Swetapadma off the terrace.
Meanwhile, Swetapadma’s family members and in-laws claimed the body, as a result of which the police kept the body in mortuary. The police said they would seek legal help for disposal of the body.