Gopalpur: Golanthara police arrested 32-year-old man from Visakhapatnam in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh nine months after he allegedly murdered his newly-wed wife over dowry demand.
The accused has been identified as Lakshmikant Moharana, alias Laxmi, a resident of ODRP Colony in Jagannathpur in Ganjam district.
He had been on the run since July 15, 2023, after his wife, Rani (27), was pronounced dead by doctors at MKCG Medical College and Hospital here. The couple got married on March 11, 2023.
“Our special police team apprehended Moharana from Visakhapatnam following a tip-off,” said Berhampur SP Saravana Vivek M.
According to sources, the accused began physically and mentally torturing Rani for additional dowry just two months after their wedding. Moharana assaulted Rani severely and strangulated her on the fateful day. Though he attempted to pass it off as suicide by hanging, her family lodged a complaint with police, suspecting foul play in her death.
The subsequent investigation further revealed that four cases, including three attempt to murder in Golanthara and one in Gopalpur, were registered against Moharana.
