Cuttack: Days after Odia actress Nikita’s husband – Lipan Sahu – reportedly confessed to have pushed the actress off the terrace leading to her death January 5, Lipan’s sister Sonam brushed aside the claims Sunday.
According to Sonam, Nikita had jumped off the terrace. And apart from Lipan, the actress’ father and brother were also present at the scene. “On that fateful night, the duo picked up a quarrel over a trivial issue. My brother (Lipan) and Nikita’s father Sanatan Behera tried to pacify her, but in vain. She had a very bad temper and in no time Nikita jumped off the terrace,” Sonam claimed, adding that she wondered why Nikita’s father alleged that Lipan had pushed Nikita off the terrace despite knowing the truth.
Meanwhile, Chauliaganj police claimed to have intensified their search for Nikita’s in-laws (father-in-law and mother-in-law), who are on the run ever since the incident.
According to sources, a day after the 32-year-old actress died at a private healthcare facility here January 5, Nikita’s father Sanatan lodged a complaint with police January 6 against Lipan, his mother and father accusing them of murder.
A few hours later, police took Lipan into custody and claimed that he had confessed to have pushed the Nikita off the terrace. Later, Lipan was sent to Choudwar circle jail after his bail plea was turned down by sub-divisional judicial magistrate (SDJM) court here January 8.
Lipan is facing charges under Sections 302 (murder), 102 (criminal conspiracy), 120B (conspiracy) and 498A (torture) apart from other relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code, a senior police official said.
Earlier, Sonam had broken her silence and spoken to the media defending her family. “Nikita had a very bad temper and she often picked up quarrels with my family,” Sonam had pointed out.
Notably, Nikita, who had married to Lipun of Gopalpur here in 2016 and has a six-month-old son, used to spend her most of time at her parental house at Mahanadi Vihar.