Balangir: A chilling twist has emerged in the Balangir ANM murder case, with police revealing that the victim, health worker Damayanti Barik, was allegedly killed by her husband, who later attempted to take his own life.
The incident occurred in Ramchandrapura village under Deogaon police station. Damayanti, an Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) serving for two decades, was found dead inside her locked house on Wednesday morning.
Forensic investigation confirmed she had suffered laceration injuries after being struck with a steel bottle by her husband, Upendra Kalsaye, who then poured petrol and set her ablaze.
During the attack, flames spread to Upendra, who later consumed poison in a bid to end his life. He was rescued in a half-burnt condition and rushed to hospital, but succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment.
Police said the sequence of events clarifies initial doubts over whether the case was a murder or suicide. Police confirmed that the crime was deliberate, with petrol carried in an one-litre bottle.