local women’s organisation Soundarya on Wednesday demanded arrest of Pabitra Beuria of village Mangalpur in Dhenkanal district for allegedly killing his wife Swarnalata alias Suna on August 27 night and cremating the body secretly before dawn.
Soundarya president Smita Samal said Suna had come to Dhenkanal with her son Soumya and requested the body to protect her from Pabitra who was forcing her to sign a divorce paper.
After being ensured of all support, Suna along with her son went back home to bring marriage documents and other valuables, but they did not return. “We went to Mangalpur next morning as she didn’t return. But we were astonished to know that Suna’s body had been cremated. We were told that Suna had killed self by hanging from a ceiling fan. Her son Soumya, who was in utter fear, was forced to leave the place,” said Samal.
Meanwhile, Suna’s brother Suresh Mohapatra of Akhuapada, Bhadrak, filled an FIR at the Sadar police station here on August 28 night.
In his FIR, Suresh alleged that Pabitra was frequently assaulting his sister. On August 27, Swarnalata told him over telephone that Pabitra had assaulted and forced her to sign a divorce paper and requested him to take her to the parental house. But he was shocked to listen from Pabitra the next early morning that Suna died after severe colic pain. Though he advised Pabitra not to cremate the body before his arrival, yet the latter cremated the body before his arrival in Pabitra’s village. The police have registered a case against Pabitra and his father Krupasi Beuria. They have also collected bones and ashes of Suna for forensic test.
All male members of Pabitra’s family had left the house taking Suna’s son by the time police reached the village.
Soundarya Presidnet Smtia Samal demand Pabitra arrested and Soumya rescued from the accused persons soon as his life is in danger as the lone eye witness to the alleged murder.