Woman Strangled to Death, Buried In Odisha; Husband & Neighbours Detained

Rourkela: Police on Saturday exhumed the body of a woman, who was allegedly buried after being killed by her husband four days back, in Rourkela city of Odisha’s Sundargarh district.

According to police sources, the woman, identified as Phulamani Kerketa of Naditola in Vedavyas, was married to Ashok Kerketa of Musapalli in Lathikata under Brahmanitaranga police limits of the city five years back.

For the last few months, Ashok, who works as a daily labourer, used to have frequent fights with Phulamani on trivial issues. On June 11, the couple had a heated argument and in a fit of rage, Ashok strangulated Phulamani to death.

Later, Ashok with the help of his neighbours buried Phulamani’s body in the backyard of his house. Phulamani’s brother came to know about her death under suspicious circumstances and confronted Ashok.

Ashok not only strongly refuted his brother-in-law’s accusation of killing Phulamani but also threatened him  of life if he disclosed the matter to anybody. However, Phulamani’s brother filed a complaint at Brahmanitaranga police station on Saturday.

Following inquiries in the village on the basis of the complaint, the police dug up the backyard of Ashok’s house and exhumed the body of Phulamani.

The police have detained Ashok and his neighbours for questioning. Further investigation is on.