Bhubaneswar, May 6: Naveen Patnaik, the leader of the opposition and president of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), has called on Chief Minister Mohan Chandra Majhi to ensure immediate and strict action against those responsible for the brutal murder of a pregnant woman in Khirida village, Ganjam district.
In a letter to the Chief Minister, Patnaik expressed his deep anguish regarding the heinous incident that occurred in his constituency of Hinjili. According to reports and video footage, the pregnant woman was ruthlessly killed by her brother-in-law in front of her three-year-old daughter.
Patnaik noted that the victim was protesting outside her husband’s home, holding her child and demanding justice when she was attacked. The sight of the three-year-old crying beside her mother’s body has shocked Odisha.
He urged the Chief Minister, as the head of the state’s Home Department, to direct the police to arrest all suspects immediately. Additionally, he called for the three-year-old girl, who witnessed the incident, to receive state care, compensation, and rehabilitation. Patnaik questioned why police had not taken preventive measures while the victim was protesting for justice.
He demanded the Chief Minister’s personal intervention to ensure that the perpetrators are punished according to the law and that such incidents do not recur.
Meanwhile, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan described the murder of the pregnant woman as very unfortunate and stated that the police are taking necessary action in this case. He emphasized that it is a tragic event and assured that the police are doing their job and taking appropriate measures.
Harichandan promised that the accused would be brought to justice and that strict punishment would be ensured under the law. The government is committed to maintaining law and order and addressing serious crimes decisively.
Notably, Jitendra Gouda, the husband of the victim, had eloped with Pooja Swain nearly two years ago. They later married at a temple in Puri and lived there for some time, during which they had a daughter.
About 15 days ago, Jitendra allegedly abandoned his wife and child at Berhampur railway station and fled. Following this, the victim filed a complaint against him and his family with the police.
Frustrated by the lack of police action, she staged a protest at her in-laws’ home. During this time, on Tuesday afternoon, Jitendra’s underage brother allegedly murdered her with a sharp weapon in broad daylight.
The police have since taken the accused minor brother into custody.
Leave a Comment