Nayagada/Odagaon: A 29-year-old woman was allegedly killed and her body dumped in a pond with her hands and legs tied in Beladwar village under Bahadajho la outpost of Odagaon police station in Nayagada district. The incident came to light Fri day morning.
The deceased was identified as Tapaswini Pradhan, daughter of late Shyamaghana Sahu of Hariharpur village under Sarankul police station jurisdiction. Her husband, Kalu alias Bakshi Pradhan, 40, of Dhenkena village under Nayagada Sadar police station, later surrendered before Odagaon police.
According to police, Bakshi had informed the fire services personnel and police Friday morning that his wife had drowned in the pond near their farmhouse. Police and fire services personnel reached the spot, recovered the body, and sent to the Odagaon health centre for post-mortem. Tapaswini married Bakshi in December 2020.
The couple had a four-year-old daughter. Her family alleged that she had been subjected to physical and mental harassment with her in-laws demanding an additional Rs 1 lakh in dowry. At the time of marriage, her family had reportedly given Rs 1 lakh in cash, gold ornaments and household articles. According to her family, the couple had been quarrelling frequently. They had been staying at the Beladwar farmhouse since December 15, 2024, where Bakshi and his family allegedly continued to pressure Tapaswini to bring another Rs 1 lakh.
Her mother, Bharati Sahu, alleged that Tapaswini was killed with the involvement and encouragement of her in-laws and her body was thrown into the pond. She also claimed that her daughter had earlier received repeated threats to her life. Police said a quarrel had taken place between the couple Thursday night.
During the post-mortem, Bakshi surrendered at the police station. Odagaon Sub-Inspector Chakradhar Singh said a murder case (276/26) was registered on the basis of the mother’s complaint and Bakshi was being questioned. Police said further investigation was underway.
Orissa POST – Odisha’s No.1 English Daily
