Bhawanipatna: In a horrific incident, an APR constable Ajay Kumar Mahapatra (30) allegedly burnt his wife Priyadarshini Mahapatra (22) to death over dowry at Shaktinagarpara here Sunday, police said.
The victim’s father Bibhuti Bhubsan Mahapatra and mother Prabhasini Mahapatra lodged a complaint in Town police and demanded stringent action against Ajay. Police registered a case and detained Ajay for interrogation.
According to the police, Priyadarshini of Patabandh under Bolgarh police limits in Khurda district had married Ajay of Bhawanipatna May 2, 2014. All dowry demands were met during the marriage.
However, Ajay and his family members demanded `60,000 and a motorbike from Priyadarshini soon after marriage. They tortured her mentally and physically and forced her to leave the house when she expressed her inability to meet their fresh demands.
Failing to bear the torture anymore, Priyadarshini informed her parents of the issue. Learning their daughter’s plight, family members reached Bhawanipatna to take back Priyadarshini. However, Ajay and his family members threatened them and sent them back.
On the fateful day, the charred body of Priyadarshini was found in her house.
Priyadarshini’s family members alleged Ajay along with his kin set her on fire after dousing kerosene on her.
Sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) Biranchi Prasad Dehuri, inspector-in-charge (IIC) of local police station Surendra Nath Satapathy, inspector Anuspa Behera and Kesinga additional tehsildar Rabindra Rout launched an investigation.
A portion of the house was completely burnt while police seized a kerosene jar and other items from the spot.
A case was registered and the body sent for post-mortem to the district headquarters hospital. However, Ajay claimed that Priyadarshini committed suicide over a family dispute. Priyadarshini has left behind a three-year-old daughter, it was learnt. PNN
