Berhampur: Tension prevailed in Puruna Berhampur as protest over the death of an Odisha Motor Vehicle Department (OMVD) constable continued into Saturday morning, with locals and family members blocking a road and demanding justice.
The deceased, identified as Ashutosh Mrudungi, succumbed to severe burn injuries while undergoing treatment at AIIMS Bhubaneswar on Friday (June 12). He had sustained around 80 per cent burns in an incident that occurred on the night of June 5.
Following his death, family members and local residents staged a protest late Friday night, which continued through the night into Saturday. The agitators placed the body at the protest site in a mortuary box and raised slogans seeking action against those they accused of being involved.
The family has alleged foul play in the incident and demanded the immediate arrest of the deceased’s wife, a woman constable posted at the police reserve office in Berhampur, and his brother-in-law. They have claimed that Mrudungi was set on fire after petrol was poured on him.
The deceased’s sister, Nivedita Devi, has lodged a complaint in connection with the case and reiterated demands for strict action against the accused. The family has also sought a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe, stating that only a detailed investigation can bring out the truth.
According to police, Mrudungi had married the woman constable around one and a half years ago. The couple had been facing domestic disputes, and cases related to domestic violence and dowry harassment had been registered at Koraput Town Police Station and Berhampur Mahila Police Station based on complaints filed by the woman constable.
Police further stated that Mrudungi was arrested on May 23 after allegations that he had assaulted his wife on May 18, when she was three months pregnant. She later alleged that the assault led to a miscarriage. He was granted bail on June 3.
The burn incident occurred on June 5 when Mrudungi was reportedly on his way to his wife’s government quarters at Bijipur in Berhampur.
Police have said that a case has already been registered and an investigation is underway to ascertain the exact circumstances leading to his death.
