Balisankara: A 25-year-old man was allegedly hacked to death by a village priest after he tried to intervene in a domestic dispute and shelter the accused's wife in Odisha's Sundargarh district, police said.

The incident took place around 10.30 pm on Friday at Deheripada in Mayabahal village under Talsara police limits.

According to preliminary information, villagers had gathered earlier in the day to perform a traditional ritual for the village deity before the commencement of the farming season. The accused, Kandarpa Dehuri (50), who serves as the village priest (Kalo), had conducted the rituals.

Police said that after returning home, Kandarpa allegedly got into an argument with his wife, Binita Dehuri (40), and physically assaulted her. Fearing further violence, Binita ran to the neighbouring house of Hemanta Nayak (25) to seek refuge.

Enraged after seeing his wife enter the neighbour's house, Kandarpa allegedly followed her and created a commotion outside. Hearing the argument, Hemanta's sister, Kumari Nayak (22), came out and tried to pacify the accused. However, Kandarpa allegedly assaulted her as well.

When Hemanta intervened to stop the assault on his sister, Kandarpa reportedly returned to his house, fetched a sharp sword, and launched a sudden attack on the young man. Police said the accused repeatedly struck Hemanta with the weapon, causing fatal injuries. Hemanta died on the spot.

Following the incident, family members alerted Talsara police, who reached the village during the night, recovered the body and launched an investigation.

The accused was arrested soon after the incident and has been taken into custody. Police are investigating the circumstances leading to the murder.

Victim was sole breadwinner; family faces uncertain future

The tragedy has left Hemanta's family devastated. He was the sole breadwinner of the family, which includes two younger brothers and a sister. Their mother passed away around 10 years ago, while their father died two years ago.

Adding to the family's grief, Hemanta's sister Kumari is scheduled to get married on July 6, and wedding invitations had already been distributed. With Hemanta gone, the family now faces uncertainty over how the wedding and other household responsibilities will be managed.

Police have registered a case and further investigation is underway.