In a shocking incident rooted in a bitter property dispute, a man and his two sons have been arrested for the alleged murder of his 75-year-old widowed mother in Odisha's Jajpur district. The police claim the killing was staged as a deliberate hit-and-run accident on a national highway.
The Fatal Night and a Sister's Escape
The tragic event unfolded on National Highway 16 near Singada village under the Panikoili police station. Juli Sahoo (75) and her daughter, Anita Sahoo (42), were returning home when a pick-up van hit them. The impact killed Juli on the spot. Anita survived the attack by jumping into a roadside ditch, an act that likely saved her life.
Initially, the police treated the case as an unfortunate road accident. However, the investigation took a dark turn after Anita filed a formal complaint (FIR) at the Panikoili police station on Saturday. In her statement, she named her own nephew, Kartik Sahoo (30), as the driver of the van that hit them. She further alleged that the "accident" was meticulously planned by her elder brother, Narayan Sahoo (54), and his other son, Ramesh Sahoo (28).
Property Dispute as the Motive
The police investigation revealed a grim motive behind the planned attack: the usurpation of family property. The trouble began after the death of Juli's husband, Poina Sahoo, last year. Following his demise, the property was jointly inherited by his widow Juli, daughter Anita, and son Narayan.
Investigating officer Sumit Kujur stated that Narayan had repeatedly pressured his mother and sister to give up their shares of the property in his favour. Both women refused. After her husband's death, Juli had been living with her daughter Anita, a decision that may have further fueled the conflict.
"Initially, we treated it as an accidental death. But during investigation, we found that Kartik, the deceased’s grandson, had intentionally hit them," said Kujur, confirming the premeditated nature of the crime.
Arrests and Judicial Proceedings
Based on the evidence and Anita's FIR, the police moved swiftly. All three accused—Narayan Sahoo and his sons Kartik and Ramesh, all residents of Khandarapur village—were arrested on Monday. They were subsequently produced before a local court.
The court rejected their bail applications, sending a strong message in the serious case. All three were remanded to judicial custody, where they will remain as the police prepare a chargesheet and the legal process moves forward.
This harrowing case from Kendrapada has sent ripples through the community, highlighting how familial greed over inheritance can lead to unthinkable violence. It serves as a grim reminder of the extreme lengths to which some individuals may go for financial gain, even at the cost of a parent's life.
