Woman gets life term for burning daughter-in-law to death
Keonjhar: A local court on Wednesday sentenced a 55-year-old woman to life imprisonment for burning her daughter-in-law to death over dowry.
Additional district judge (ADJ) Mamita Das also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on the convict, Saibani Barik of Kathbaunsuli village. The court ordered an additional six months of rigorous imprisonment if she defaults.
According to the prosecution, the victim, Susmita Mahakud, was married to Suratha Barik of Kathbaunsuli about nine years ago. She faced constant harassment from her in-laws for dowry. On Aug 2, 2021, Saibani doused Susmita with kerosene and set her ablaze. Villagers, hearing Susmita’s screams, rescued her and rushed her to the district headquarters hospital, Keonjhar. She was later shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, where she succumbed to her injuries.
Based on a complaint filed by Susmita’s father, Jogendra Mahakud, on the same day, Sadar police arrested Saibani. Additional public prosecutor Prafulla Kumar Patra said the court’s verdict was based on statements from 22 witnesses and the police investigation report.
Additional district judge (ADJ) Mamita Das also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on the convict, Saibani Barik of Kathbaunsuli village. The court ordered an additional six months of rigorous imprisonment if she defaults.
According to the prosecution, the victim, Susmita Mahakud, was married to Suratha Barik of Kathbaunsuli about nine years ago. She faced constant harassment from her in-laws for dowry. On Aug 2, 2021, Saibani doused Susmita with kerosene and set her ablaze. Villagers, hearing Susmita’s screams, rescued her and rushed her to the district headquarters hospital, Keonjhar. She was later shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, where she succumbed to her injuries.
Based on a complaint filed by Susmita’s father, Jogendra Mahakud, on the same day, Sadar police arrested Saibani. Additional public prosecutor Prafulla Kumar Patra said the court’s verdict was based on statements from 22 witnesses and the police investigation report.
