Odisha Crime: 28-Year-Old Man Allegedly Beaten To Death, Body Set Ablaze At Girlfriend’s Home In Deogarh; Probe Underway

In Deogarh, Odisha, a 28-year-old man named Silu Ray was allegedly beaten to death and his body burned following an argument at the home of a woman he was involved with, police reported on Thursday. The incident occurred at Babarakot late Wednesday night. Identified as the deceased, Ray reportedly went to the woman's residence between 10:45 pm and 11 pm.

He allegedly suffered assault before his body was moved to a verandah, where petrol was poured over it and set ablaze. Neighbors spotted the flames and alerted the fire department, which arrived to extinguish the fire before notifying the police. The woman and her family have been detained for questioning as investigators probe the sequence of events leading to Ray's death.

Police are examining whether the incident was pre-planned, including how the petrol was obtained and utilized to burn the body. Ray's father, Mohan Ray, alleged that his son had been summoned to the house as part of a plan and subsequently attacked, suggesting his theory raises questions about whether the altercation was spontaneous or premeditated.

Locals noted that Ray was known to occasionally get into trouble after drinking alcohol, leading to frequent disputes between him and the woman's family. However, police have not yet determined what specifically triggered Wednesday night's confrontation. The couple had reportedly been together for about two years.