Berhampur: Baidyanathpur police in Berhampur has arrested a 57-year-old woman today,on the charge of murder of an elderly man,allegedly her paramour.The accused has been identified as Sudeshna Jena,wife of the late Sibaram Jena of Amrutulu village under Sorada block in Ganjam and currently residing at Subashnagar 1st Lane in Berhampur.Sudeshna was arrested for allegedly set ablaze one Harihara Sahu(72) at his residence in Subashnagar 1st Lane.Berhampur SP,Dr Saravana Vivek M said,yesterday,Madhusmita Sahu, daughter of the deceased Harihara,reported to police that on 29/5/2005,Sudeshna a tenant living on the ground floor of their(Harihara’s) house,informed her(Madhusmita) that her father was seriously injured and had been admitted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital.Soon,Madhusmita reached the MCH and found her father with severe burn injuries.Later Harihara referred to SCB Medical College at Cuttack,but succumbed to his injuries there under treatment.Before his death,Harihara Sahu revealed to his daughter that an individual had sprinkled kerosene on him and set him ablaze at around 2-3 AM on 28/5/2025.Basing on the complaint a case was registerd and Police started investigation.Since,Sudeshna was the only person present at the house,police brought her to police station for interrogation on yesterday.However,she pleaded her innocence and claimed,Harihara told her that,two persons sprinkled kerosine on him and set fire.She also told police that with the help of neighbours,she searched for the two and failed,before admitting Harahara to the MCH,But later she fumbled and changed her version during cross question,what created suspecion of police.As the police interrogated more vigoriously,she broke down and admitted that she killed Harihara.Today,police took Sudeshna and re-created the incident.The SP said,the investigation revealed that after the death of her husband Sudeshna came to Berhampur and took the ground floor of Harihara`s house on rent and was staying there alone,as her only daughter is working at hyderabad.Similarly,Harihara, a retired revenue inspector was staying alone after the death of his wife on the first floor and her daughter is staying at another place with her husband and in laws.The widow Sudeshna and widower Harihara had been in a relationship for last 4-5 years. However,differences arose between them,as Harihara allegedly prevented Sudeshna from visiting her daughter in Hyderabad and coerced her into fulfilling his demands. Additionally,Sudeshna reportedly had intentions of acquiring Harihara’s property with significant assets,said the SP.In a calculated move,Sudeshna allegedly poured kerosene on Harihara while he slept,set him on fire and attempted to destroy evidence by discarding his mobile phone in a well in the courtyard and burning the kerosene bottle.Despite the confession of Sudeshna that she alone did the crime,police suspect involvement others and further investigation is on said the SP adding that Sudeshna has been forwarded to court today evening.
