Cuttack: A 29-year-old mason has been arrested for the alleged murder of his 28-year-old wife at Bhatimunda village under Tangi police limits in Cuttack district. The accused, Malay Kumar Samal, allegedly strangled his wife Banita Sethi following escalating marital conflicts linked to his alleged extramarital relationship, then concealed her body by burying it on the bank of Mendhakhai Nullah.
The crime, which took place on Tuesday, came to light on Sunday after police exhumed the body based on a complaint filed by the victim’s mother, Sanjulata Sethi. Samal was promptly taken into custody and allegedly confessed during interrogation, leading investigators to the burial site in the presence of a local magistrate. A spade and the towel believed to have been used in the strangulation were seized as evidence.
Banita Sethi hailed from Garama village under Balikuda police station in neighbouring Jagatsinghpur district. Police said she developed a relationship with Samal while he was working as a mason in the area. The couple married in a temple ceremony in 2019 and initially lived in a rented house in Balikuda.
In 2023, they moved to the Bhatimunda area in Cuttack. However, instead of taking her to his family home, Samal reportedly kept Banita in a rented house at Saragan village nearby. Banita contributed to household expenses by working at a private agency.
Tensions escalated after Samal allegedly brought another woman into the household and introduced her as his “niece” from Tirtol. This led to frequent quarrels. The situation worsened when Samal reportedly abandoned Banita and continued the relationship with the other woman.
Desperate for justice, Banita approached the Odisha State Commission for Women (OSCW). The commission had directed Samal to appear before it on June 3, with a warning of a warrant for non-compliance.
According to Choudwar SDPO Umakant Nayak, an irate Samal called Banita to the Mendhakhai Nullah on Tuesday afternoon. He allegedly strangled her with a towel at the spot, returned home, and later that night stuffed her body into a sack, buried it on the riverbank, and disposed of her clothes in the water.
Banita’s mother lodged a complaint on Saturday night suspecting foul play. A manhunt has been launched to nab the other woman, suspecting her possible involvement in the crime.