The Pattamundai police on Monday arrested and court-forwarded two persons of a family of Belatala village in Kendrapada district for their alleged involvement in killing a woman, Sasmita Das (26), by setting her ablaze for dowry on Saturday last. The arrested were identified as Sridhar Behera (55) and Pramila Behera (50). The duo was later remanded to jail custody as their bail pleas were rejected by the court.
Sources said Sasmita’s in-laws set her on fire after pouring kerosene on her as she had failed to bring Rs 1 lakh more dowries as demanded by her husband Satyabrata Behera for job engagement. She was rushed to the local hospital and later shifted to the SCB Medical College Hospital, Cuttack, where she succumbed to her injuries on Sunday.
Following an FIR lodged by the victim’s father Sukanta Das against her five of the family, including her husband, the police started inquiry. Haunt is on to nab the other accused, informed police sources.