Shocking Crime in Odisha: Woman Arrested for Allegedly Setting Landlord on Fire

In a disturbing incident from Odisha's Ganjam district, a 57-year-old woman has been arrested for allegedly murdering her landlord by setting him on fire. The victim, a retired revenue inspector, was attacked in his sleep, leading to a tragic turn of events. Initial investigations suggest a premeditated motive linked to property disputes. This shocking crime has raised questions about safety and trust within the community. Read on to uncover the details of this chilling case.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 1, 2025, 19:59 IST

Arrest in a Gruesome Case

In a shocking incident in Odisha's Ganjam district, a 57-year-old woman has been taken into custody for allegedly murdering her landlord by setting him ablaze, as reported by local authorities on Sunday.

The accused, identified as Sudeshna Jena, is said to have attacked 72-year-old Harihar Sahu by dousing him in kerosene and igniting him on Thursday at Subash Nagar, within the jurisdiction of Baidyanathpur police.

Both individuals lived in the same house, with Sahu occupying the upper floor and Jena residing on the ground floor. Jena's daughters live independently, one in Hyderabad and the other in Ambapua, Berhampur.

According to police reports, Jena allegedly entered Sahu's room while he was asleep, poured kerosene over him, and set him on fire, having had unrestricted access to his living space.

Sahu was initially taken to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur before being transferred to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.

The police described the incident as a premeditated act of murder. The Superintendent of Police (SP) for Berhampur, Saravana Vivek M, stated that Jena attempted to destroy evidence by discarding Sahu's mobile phone and throwing the kerosene container into a fire.

After the incident, she feigned an effort to save him, claiming to neighbors that two unknown assailants had entered the home and set him ablaze.

Later that morning, Jena contacted Sahu's daughter, who rushed to the hospital. The case took a significant turn when Sahu reportedly informed his daughter that he had been set on fire by someone pouring kerosene on him.

This revelation led to Sahu's daughter, Madhusmita Sahu, filing a formal complaint at the Baidyanathpur police station on Thursday.

The SP indicated that the motive behind the crime was Jena's desire to acquire Sahu's property, suggesting that the murder was meticulously planned.

Initial investigations revealed that Jena and Sahu had been involved for five years, with police noting that Sahu had often invited her for sexual encounters, sometimes against her wishes, and that she was interested in his property due to his status as a retired revenue inspector.