Killed over paan: Elderly woman beaten to death by customer in Odisha

A dispute over a betel (paan) turned fatal in Mayurbhanj district after an elderly woman was attacked with a wooden baton in Tiansi village under Morada police limits. The deceased was identified as 62-year-old Bilasi Naik, who died while undergoing treatment, police sources said on Sunday. According to official sources, Dhiren Naik, a resident of the same village, would frequently ask Anta Naik for paan. He allegedly abused and threatened Anta whenever he refused to give him any. On Thursday evening, Dhiren reportedly went to Anta’s house and demanded paan. When Anta refused, an argument broke out, and things turned ugly when Dhiren allegedly attacked him with a large stick. Anta’s wife, Bilasi, intervened in an attempt to stop the assault. Dhiren allegedly attacked her with the stick, leaving her critically injured. Both Anta and Bilasi were rescued and admitted to PRM Medical College and Hospital in Baripada for treatment. Bilasi succumbed to her injuries while undergoing treatment, while Anta suffered a fracture in his hand. Following the incident, Morada police registered a murder case and conducted a post-mortem examination. A scientific team and police visited the crime scene and seized the stick allegedly used in the attack. Police said the main accused, Dhiren, remains absconding. A detailed investigation into the incident is underway. “A man named Dhiren Naik from Tiansi village asked a person named Anta Naik for betel. He used to take betel from him every day. So, on the 10th of this month too, at around 4.00 PM, he asked for betel. Since Anta Naik did not have any, he said ‘no’. This led to a dispute and an argument between them,” Morada IIC, Sumit Kumar Soren, told OTV. “After the argument, they were separated by Anta’s son-in-law. Later that night, while Anta was sitting in the yard, Dhiren came with a stick and assaulted him. At that time, his wife came to rescue him, but Dhiren also struck her on her head and chest with the stick. The elderly woman died today while undergoing treatment,” the IIC added.