A case of suspected human sacrifice was reported from Khadalapokhari village under Totapada panchayat of Chandbali block in the district on Thursday.
Sources said a woman was allegedly killed by her in-laws in their house at the village. The deceased identified as Rashmita Nayak was found dead on the bed early in the morning. Locals said pujas were performed in the house since last two days. On the concluding day on Wednesday, Chandi Path was performed with an aim to reduce the negative effects of harmful planets and establish peace in the house. The Bansada police reached the spot and have begun investigation into the incident. A villager on condition of anonymity said that the husband of deceased Prahallad Nayak had psychiatric problems. After seeing his wife dead, he banged his head resulting in profuse bleeding.
He was first rushed to Chandbali community health centre and later shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital.