Koraput: In a horrifying incident, a constable of the 1st Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB), Siba Sankar Patra (28), has been arrested for allegedly murdering his wife, Priyanka Panda (22), by setting her on fire after hitting her with a crowbar. The case has sent shockwaves across Koraput, Odisha.
The crime took place late Wednesday night at the Odisha Special Armed Police (OSAP) 3rd Battalion quarters located in the OMP Line under the Koraput Town police jurisdiction.
According to police, Siba first struck Priyanka on the head with a crowbar, rendering her unconscious. He then set her ablaze in their bedroom. The local fire brigade was alerted around 8 PM, with Siba claiming that a short circuit had caused the fire. However, when responders arrived, they found Priyanka engulfed in flames and unable to be rescued.
Priyanka’s body was sent to SLN Medical College and Hospital for autopsy. The next day, her parents—residents of Tekeli village in Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam district—filed a complaint, alleging prolonged dowry harassment by Siba and his family. They claimed that Siba had been pressuring them for money to build a house.
Based on the complaint, police detained Siba for interrogation. During questioning, he confessed to the murder, citing ongoing domestic issues. He admitted to first hitting Priyanka with a crowbar and then burning her alive.
Koraput Town IIC Satyendra Patra confirmed the arrest and stated that Siba has been booked under charges of dowry torture and murder. He was produced in court later the same evening.
