Half-Burnt Body Of Former Odisha MLA’s Wife Seized By Police During Cremation In Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: The half-burnt body of former Odisha MLA Ajay Jena’s wife was seized by the police from Satya Nagar crematorium in Bhubaneswar on Saturday following allegation by relatives that the last rites were being performed by the deceased’s daughter-in-law without conducting post-mortem.

As per preliminary information, relatives of the deceased alleged that the daughter-in-law was performing the last rites of the deceased, identified as Ashrukana Pradhan, without informing them and getting a post-mortem done. The deceased was the wife of former Brahmagiri MLA Ajay Jena.

Acting swiftly on the complaint, the police have seized the half-burnt body and sent it for autopsy, sources said.

The brother of the deceased claimed that the manner in which the cremation was being conducted raised suspicion about some possible foul play. He said was informed about the death of his elder sister by another sister. “I could not meet my sister for the past one year as they did not allow me and my family members to meet her,” he claimed.0

Younger sister of the deceased said her nephew informed her about her death. She rushed to the crematorium and found the body burning on the pyre. “I informed the police as she was subjected to torture for more than a month. My sister was virtually under house arrest,” she alleged.

The daughter-in-law of the deceased, however, refuted the allegations and said nothing wrong  has been done.

Stating that she had taken her mother-in-law to a private clinic where doctors declared her dead, she said the body was then taken to Satya Nagar crematorium and after verification of the documents, the last rites were performed. She said she had also informed about the death to her brothers-in-law.

Police said the body was seized following the written complaint filed by the sister of the deceased, Investigation into the incident is in progress.