Bhubaneswar: The start of a new life ended in tragedy just 25 days after marriage. A 24-year-old newlywed woman was allegedly hacked to death by her husband at their home in Sahadevpur village under Nemala police limits in Cuttack district.
The victim has been identified as Rozalin alias Ruby Mallik, daughter of Bharat Mallik from Balisahi village in Kendrapara. She married Shailendra Mallik alias Silu of Sahadevpur on July 12 in a traditional ceremony.
Family members said there were no visible signs of trouble after the marriage. On Wednesday night, after dinner, the family went to sleep. Around 2 AM, the accused allegedly attacked Ruby with an axe while she was asleep. She died on the spot.
After the incident, Shailendra allegedly tried to attack his brother Bhabani Shankar Mallik, who was sleeping in the next room, and then fled the house. “My brother knocked on my door at around 2 AM with an axe in his hand. He said ‘bring your wife, I will kill her too’. I got scared and before we could do anything, he ran away,” Bhabani Shankar told police.
Ruby’s father, Bharat Chandra Mallik, has alleged that the murder was linked to a dowry dispute. “The marriage was on July 12. Even yesterday his family spoke to me politely about family matters. Later at night there was reportedly an argument between my daughter and her husband over dowry. I believe that is why he killed her,” he alleged.
Local residents said the couple had seemed fine until now, but some suspect a sudden altercation may have triggered the crime.
Nemala police have registered a case and launched a manhunt to trace the absconding husband. A forensic team visited the spot and the body was sent for post-mortem. “All angles are being investigated. The exact motive will be clear after we arrest the accused and question him,” an officer said.
The incident has once again raised concerns about domestic violence and dowry-related harassment in new marriages. Women’s rights groups in Cuttack have demanded strict action and a fast-track trial.
Police said further investigation is in progress.
