A man's craving for alcohol turned deadly for his wife in Odisha's Jagatsinghpur district, after she turned down his demand for money she had received under a state welfare scheme meant for women. The accused husband has since been arrested, and the brutality of the killing has left the entire area in shock.
What Sparked the Dispute
The incident took place late on Saturday night in Balarampur village, which falls in the Jankoti area under the jurisdiction of the Jagatsinghpur Sadar police station. The accused has been identified as Digambar Swain, whose wife had received money under the state government's Subhadra Yojana scheme. According to what has come to light, Digambar Swain had been repeatedly demanding that his wife hand over this money so that he could use it to buy alcohol. His wife, however, stood her ground and refused to give in to his demands, and this refusal is what eventually triggered a heated argument between the two.
A Brutal Attack With a Spear
The argument between the couple quickly spiralled out of control inside their home. Enraged by his wife's refusal to hand over the money, Digambar Swain allegedly picked up a spear and attacked her with it right there in the house. The assault was so severe that the woman suffered critical injuries and could not survive them, eventually succumbing to her wounds. As word of the killing spread through Balarampur village, it triggered widespread panic and shock among the residents.
Attempted Suicide, Caught by Villagers
After allegedly killing his wife, Digambar Swain reportedly tried to take his own life soon after. However, villagers who had gathered at the scene by then acted quickly, overpowering him before he could cause himself any further harm. They subsequently handed him over to the police, preventing what could have been a second tragedy at the same house on the same night.
A Disturbing Pattern in Odisha
This is not the first time that a dispute over Subhadra Yojana money has ended in a woman's death in Odisha. Just days earlier, in the state's Dhenkanal district, a man had allegedly beaten his wife to death after she refused to hand over the money she had received under the very same scheme. The repetition of such cases within a short span has raised fresh concerns about the safety of women who receive direct financial assistance under the scheme, particularly when that money becomes a point of conflict at home.
Police Investigation Underway
Once informed of the incident, a police team reached Balarampur village without delay, took the woman's body into custody and sent it for a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death. Digambar Swain has been formally arrested in connection with the killing and is currently being interrogated by investigators. Police officials have indicated that the dispute over Subhadra Yojana money appears to be the central motive behind the murder. The investigation into the case remains ongoing, with police also examining other aspects and circumstances connected to the incident.
