Keonjhar/Hatadihi: An additional block development officer (ABDO) has been absconding after allegedly hacking his wife to death with an axe in Keonjhar district, police said Friday.
The accused, identified as Debi Prasad Jena, who is currently posted at Banta block office in Bhadrak district, allegedly attacked his wife, Sudeshna, 42, at their native village, Danra, under Hatadihi block.
According to Inspector-In-Charge Rabindra Patra, the victim’s son Satya Prakash complained to his father, following which a case (294/2025) under Section 103(1) of BNS was registered at Nandipada police station. Police said a heated argument broke out between the couple, during which Jena, in a fit of rage, struck his wife on the neck with an axe. Locals rushed the injured woman to the Shalania community health centre (CHC), from where she was shifted to the Bhadrak district headquarters hospital (DHH) as her condition worsened. She succumbed to her injuries there.
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In his statement to the media, Satya Prakash alleged that his father had an extramarital affair with another woman from their extended family and had subjected his mother, sister, and him to repeated harassment. “We had complained several times to the block office and the local police, but no action was taken,” he said. Keonjhar police said Jena fled after the incident and remains absconding. “A scientific team inspected the crime scene Friday.
Search operations are underway at multiple locations to trace the accused,” said Anandapur DSP Prashant Behera. Banta BDO Sitakant Rout told reporters that the officer was absent from the office Friday without prior leave application. “We came to know about the incident from media reports. A report in this regard has been sent to the district collector,” Rout said.
