Post News Network
Ghasipura, Oct 17: In a gruesome incident, a tribal man hacked to death the widow of his younger brother after he failed to rape her. The incident took place in Kusabani village of Kathakata panchayat in Anandapur block of Keonjhar district, Saturday.
According to reports, Ladik Ho had lost her husband Roya Ho, a year ago, leaving her and a 10-year-old daughter. Since then Ladik and her daughter have been leading a miserable life by doing odd jobs.
However, Surendra Ho, elder brother of late Roya, was seeking sexual favour from the widow. Thursday night, Ladik was asleep in her house when Surendra barged into her house on pretext of chasing a thief. But he tried to rape her, which was resisted by Ladik. She, however, managed to escape and informed the matter to the villagers.
Friday, the village head called a meeting to settle the matter. At the meeting, Surendra was found guilty and slapped a fine of Rs 500 and asked to give two fowls. Infuriated over the decision, Surendra left the meeting venue.
Ladik feared threat to her life and intimated the matter to Anandapur police, Friday. The IIC registered a case following a complaint lodged by Ladik. A police team reached the village, but found the accused absconding. However, after police left the village in the evening, the accused returned home and picked up a quarrel with Ladik.
At about 7.30 pm, Surendra barged into Ladik’s room and hacked her to death with an axe in an act of revenge. After committing the crime, he was holed up behind the school.
On getting information, police seized the body, the axe and later arrested Surendra.