Phulbani: Kandhamal police has arrested a young woman for allegedly torturing her elderly mother to death over a bitter property dispute.
The accused, identified as Smitarani Kanhar, was taken into custody following a formal complaint lodged by her sister-in-law. Police have also recovered two knives and the deceased mother’s gold jewellery from the accused.
According to police reports, the tragic chain of events began roughly a year and a half ago when Smitarani entered into a love marriage, a decision that strained relations with her family. Following the fallout, she reportedly returned to her parental home and began pressuring her mother, Sebati Kanhar, a resident of Budhadani village, to hand over family property.
Investigators revealed that the property dispute quickly escalated into severe physical abuse. Smitarani allegedly subjected her mother to brutal beatings and even burned her with knives. The elderly mother succumbed to her injuries while undergoing medical treatment.
Acting swiftly on the First Information Report (FIR) filed by the daughter-in-law, local police launched an investigation and successfully apprehended the accused daughter. Further investigation into the case is currently underway.