Jajpur: A young couple allegedly died by suicide after hanging themselves from a banyan tree near a sluice gate at Nao Mania in Mahantipatna village under Malikapur panchayat in Dasarathpur block of Odisha's Jajpur district.

The deceased have been identified as Samir Das (25), son of Manguli Das of Ishwarpur village under Shushua panchayat, and Surekha Mallick (22), daughter of Rabindra Mallick of Mahantipatna village.

According to reports, the bodies were found hanging from the tree with a dupatta tied around their necks. The woman was seen wearing sindoor, a mangalsutra, bangles and alta on her feet, while traces of alta and sindoor were also visible on the young man’s hands, indicating that the couple may have performed some form of marriage ritual before taking the extreme step.

The incident came to light after a villager spotted the bodies and informed others, following which a large crowd gathered at the spot.

Samir had been working at a plywood company in Kerala and had returned home a few days ago. He had reportedly left home on Tuesday evening and did not return.

Villagers claimed that the couple had been in a relationship for a long time. However, the girl’s family members were allegedly opposed to their marriage. It is also being alleged that Surekha had recently left her home and gone to Samir’s house, but her family later convinced her to return.

Locals suspect that the family's opposition to their relationship and marriage may have driven the couple to take the drastic step.

Police have started an investigation into the matter.