Pregnant Woman Hacked to Death During Protest Outside In-Laws’ House in Odisha

A pregnant woman was allegedly hacked to death while staging a dharna outside her in-laws’ house in Odisha’s Ganjam district, in a shocking incident that has triggered widespread outrage and an ongoing police investigation.

The victim, identified as Puja Swain (21) of Rambha area, was sitting in protest along with her two-year-old daughter outside her marital home in Kharida village under Hinjili police station limits on Tuesday. She was demanding support and legal rights after being allegedly abandoned by her husband.

Police said the accused, her husband’s younger brother Litu Gouda , has been detained , and a murder case has been registered. The weapon used in the attack, an axe , has been seized.

According to multiple reports, Puja had been living in distress after her husband Chintu Gouda allegedly abandoned her at Berhampur railway station earlier this month, leaving her and their child without support. She had also approached police earlier and stayed briefly at a one-stop centre before moving to protest outside her in-laws’ house.

Sources further stated that the couple had a history of personal conflict, including allegations of domestic abuse and separation , after which she began demanding recognition and support for her daughter. She was also around four months pregnant at the time of the incident.

Police said she had been sitting on protest for days before the attack drew local media attention. Officials are also examining whether the killing was linked to family resentment or anger over public exposure of the dispute .

The body has been sent for post-mortem examination at MKCG Medical College and Hospital , and notices have been issued to her in-laws as part of the investigation.

Police said the probe is ongoing to determine the full sequence of events and motive behind the killing.