Woman beaten to death in Samastipur over tree row

Patna: A 70-year-old woman was allegedly beaten to death with a ‘lota’ (globular water pot) while her husband sustained injuries in Samastipur district following a dispute over cutting a tree. The incident occurred in Sohma ward no. 9 under Bithan police station area late on Sunday night.

The deceased was identified as Sagar Devi. Her husband, Madan Yadav, was also injured in the attack.

According to the victim’s grandson, Sonu Kumar, a mango tree was on his grandfather’s share of land. He alleged that her relative Stuti Kumari and her mother-in-law got the tree chopped in the night. “When my grandfather Madan Yadav protested, Stuti attacked him with a ‘lota’,” he said.

During the altercation, Sagar Devi tried to intervene and was allegedly hit on the head with the ‘lota’. Both Sagar and Madan suffered injuries. Family members rushed to the spot after hearing the commotion, while the accused fled.

With the help of villagers, the injured couple was taken to a nearby govt hospital for treatment. Sagar Devi was later referred to a private hospital, but she died on the way.

Police reached the spot after receiving information about the incident. The body was sent for the postmortem after completion of legal formalities. Police also seized the ‘lota’ allegedly used in the assault. A forensic science laboratory (FSL) team was called to the scene to ascertain the exact cause of death.

Rosera SDPO Sanjay Sinha said, “A fight broke out over a land dispute in which the elderly woman died. Family members have alleged she was attacked with a ‘lota’. An FIR has been registered against the relatives based on the application filed by the deceased’s family. The FSL team has collected evidence from the crime scene. Raids are being carried out to nab the accused.”