Sambalpur: A horrific double murder sent shockwaves through Giripali area under Sasan Police limits in Odisha’s Sambalpur district on Monday.
A 60-year-old woman and her 35-year-old daughter were brutally bludgeoned to death late last night while they were sleeping outside their home. The deceased have been identified as Urmila Patra (60) and her daughter Lilima Kudei (35). The two victims did not have any close relatives living nearby, sources said.
The Attack
Due to the intense, ongoing heat wave, the mother and daughter had opted to sleep in the courtyard outside their house. Seizing the opportunity, assailants launched a su
dden and vicious assault. The perpetrators allegedly used a heavy motorcycle chain crank (chain sprocket) to relentlessly beat the victims. The severity of the head and bodily injuries resulted in both women dying on the spot.
Suspect Apprehended
While initial reports pointed toward an attack by a group of youths, a neighbour was later suspected as the prime accused. He has been identified as Ajay Pradhan, whose house shares a boundary wall with the victims’ residence. The murder is strongly suspected to be the fallout of a long-standing personal enmity or past dispute between the neighbours.
The Sasan Police have already taken the accused into custody for questioning.
Investigation Underway
The gruesome crime scene left local residents in a state of panic and deep mourning. Senior police officials, including the Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP), rushed to the village to oversee the preliminary probe.
A forensic scientific team is currently at the spot, thoroughly combing the area to collect crucial physical evidence, fingerprints, and the weapon used in the offence. The bodies have been sent for postmortem as police look to build a foolproof case against the perpetrator. Further details are awaited as the investigation progresses.