Balasore: Husband Refuses Wife’s Last Rites, Body Unattended for Four Days

Balasore: In a shocking and heartbreaking incident, a woman’s body was left unattended for four days after her estranged husband refused to perform her last rites in Balasore district.

The incident occurred at Arad Bazaar under Sahadevkhunta police limits, where  Chhabirani Dey, the separated wife of Srustidhar Dey, passed away on November 9 following a cardiac arrest. However, her husband allegedly declined to conduct the funeral rites, citing their legal separation.

Srustidhar, a retired regional manager of a nationalised bank, reportedly told locals that he would not take part in any funeral rituals since the couple had been divorced. With Chhabirani having no immediate family members nearby, her body remained unattended inside the house, leading to a foul odour that alarmed neighbours.

Outraged villagers detained Srustidhar and compelled him to stay near the deceased until their son, who resides in Canada, returns home to perform the final rites.

Meanwhile, police reached the spot and have begun an investigation into the incident. The matter has triggered widespread public anger, with many condemning the husband’s lack of compassion and respect for the deceased.