Sambalpur: Police recovered the bodies of a 98-year-old woman and her 62-year-old daughter from their two-story residence in Hatapada in Sambalpur district late Tuesday night, in mysterious circumstances. The deceased were identified as Snehalata Dixit and her daughter Sairendri Dixit, a retired primary school teacher.
The incident came to light when neighbours spotted smoke emanating from the upper floor of the house around 10:30 pm. Sairendri’s partially burnt body was discovered in the kitchen, though her face could be identified. Her mother, Snehalata, who was bedridden due to age-related illness, was found dead in a separate room without any burn injuries. “Initial investigation revealed the gas cylinder was on when we reached the spot,” said Sambalpur Sadar SDPO Tophan Bag. “A forensic team is investigating and the bodies have been sent for autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.”
However, Indrani Purohit, younger daughter of Snehalata, has accused her brother and his family, who occupy the ground floor of the building, of murder. “I suspect they were killed for property. My sister was murdered first and then burnt,” alleged Purohit, citing a long-standing land dispute.

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