A horrific double murder has shaken the Giripali area under Sasan police station in Sambalpur, where a 65-year-old woman and her 35-year-old daughter were hacked to death, allegedly by their neighbour, in the early hours of Monday.
Details of the Incident
According to police, the accused, identified as Ajay Pradhan, attacked Urmila Patra and her daughter Lilima Joda with a sharp weapon while they were sleeping outside their home. The incident occurred around 1 am. After committing the crime, Pradhan himself informed the police about the incident over the phone.
Police immediately reached the spot, detained the accused, and subsequently arrested him. He was produced before a court on Monday. Preliminary investigations suggest that the double murder was a result of previous enmity between the two families.
Family Members Unaware Until Morning
Family members revealed that Urmila and her daughter were alone at home, as her two sons and their wives had gone to attend a wedding on Sunday night. The police informed the victims' family members about the tragedy around 3 am.
A scientific team and police, led by the Sambalpur Additional Superintendent of Police, visited the crime scene and launched a detailed investigation to gather more evidence.
Accused's Wife Claims Cordial Relations
In a surprising twist, Yashoda Pradhan, the wife of the accused, claimed that relations between the two families had always been cordial. This statement contradicts the police's preliminary finding of previous enmity.
The investigation is ongoing, and police are examining all angles to ascertain the exact motive behind the gruesome murders.
