Woman’s body exhumed after father alleges dowry death

Kendrapada: The body of a 21-year-old newly-married woman was exhumed in Jajpur district on Monday after her father alleged that she was killed for dowry, even as her husband claimed she died due to illness. Police arrested the husband, Ranjan Das, on charges of murder and produced him in court on Monday. His bail plea was rejected and he was remanded in judicial custody, police added.Pramila Das of Brundabandeipur village had married Ranjan of Dandasana under Jenapur police limits about two months ago. Her family alleged that she was subjected to repeated harassment by her husband over dowry since the marriage.According to police, Pramila was buried in a field on Saturday shortly after her death without informing her parents or other family members. Her father, Sarat Das, came to know about the incident from a neighbour and lodged a complaint on Sunday alleging dowry death.Acting on the complaint, police exhumed the body on Monday in the presence of a magistrate and senior officers. The body was sent to SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, for autopsy. “The exact cause of death will be ascertained after the postmortem report,” said IIC, Jenapur police station, Nirupama Jena. The deceased’s father also alleged that the accused abused and threatened him when he reached his daughter’s in-laws’ house after learning about her death, police said.