Baripada: A shocking case of alleged dowry-related murder has surfaced in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district, where a woman was reportedly killed by her husband and in-laws nearly a decade after marriage.

The incident took place at Chelia village under the Badasahi Police Station limits. The deceased has been identified as Lucy Mohapatra, wife of Sandeep Mohapatra.

According to allegations by the woman’s family, Sandeep, who is employed in the forest department, along with his parents, subjected Lucy to continuous physical and mental harassment over additional dowry demands since the early months of their marriage in 2016.

Her family claimed that all dowry demands were fulfilled at the time of marriage. However, the harassment allegedly continued thereafter.

On the day of the incident, Sandeep's father Bijay Narayan informed Lucy’s family over the phone about her death and asked them to reach Badasahi Hospital. Upon arrival, he claimed that Lucy had died by suicide by hanging.

Suspecting foul play due to past incidents and circumstances, Lucy’s family rejected the suicide claim and alleged that she was murdered in a planned manner. They lodged a written complaint at the Badasahi police station.

Police have registered a case of dowry death and initiated an investigation. Meanwhile, Sandeep and his mother Premalata are reportedly absconding.