Tragic End for Elderly Couple in Odisha: Loan Stress Leads to Poisoning

Heartbreaking Incident in Bedha Purnachandrapur

Purusottampur: An elderly couple tragically took their own lives by consuming poison due to the overwhelming pressure from loan repayments. This heartbreaking event occurred in Bedha Purnachandrapur village, located in the Khallikote block of Ganjam district. The deceased, identified as Ladu Kishore Maharana, aged 61, and his 57-year-old wife, Sajani Maharana, were found unresponsive at their home on Wednesday. A glass containing suspected poison was discovered at their residence, according to local police.

The situation came to light when an employee from a finance company visited their home and found the couple unresponsive. He promptly alerted nearby residents, who then contacted the authorities. The police have since taken possession of the bodies and sent them to Purusottampur Community Health Centre for autopsy.

Initial investigations indicate that the couple had incurred debts of around Rs 3 lakh from private lenders and finance companies to support their farming activities. The police have registered two separate cases of unnatural deaths and are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident. The community is in shock, mourning the loss of the couple, who were living alone while their only son, Santosh, resides abroad with his family, and their three daughters are married.

The couple relied on farming for their livelihood, but unseasonal rains had devastated their paddy crops, exacerbating their financial struggles. Additionally, Ladu Kishore had been suffering from health issues, which hindered his ability to work. The relentless demands from finance agents for repayment further intensified their mental strain.