Married Couple Found Hanging in Jharigaon, Mystery Surrounds Tragic Deaths

Jharigaon (Nabarangpur): In a tragic and deeply puzzling incident, a married couple was found dead by hanging in San Bhimada village under Umerkote police station limits of Jharigaon block, Nabarangpur district, on Tuesday morning. The incident has left the local community in shock, raising numerous unanswered questions.

The deceased have been identified as Sutam Bhatra (32) and Phulmani Bhatra (27), who had been married for the past 10 years through traditional customs. According to villagers, the couple shared a peaceful and harmonious relationship, with no known history of disputes or tension.

Locals reported that the couple had dinner together the previous night and retired to bed as usual. However, in the early hours of Tuesday, villagers discovered Phulmani hanging inside the house with a scarf tied around her neck. Sutam was later found hanging from a tamarind tree in the courtyard, using what appeared to be his wife’s saree.

Upon receiving the information, Umerkote police reached the scene, seized the bodies, and sent them for autopsy to the Umerkote Community Health Centre. A formal complaint was filed by a relative, Mangulu Bhatra.

Police have begun an investigation, but the cause of the deaths remains unclear. Authorities are awaiting the post-mortem reports to determine whether it was a case of suicide, domestic violence, or if any external factors were involved.

The incident has cast a pall of grief and confusion over San Bhimada village, where the couple was well-regarded and seen as leading a stable family life.