Sambalpur: A horrific double murder sent shockwaves through Giripali area under Sasan Police limits in Odisha’s Sambalpur district on Monday.

A 60-year-old woman and her 35-year-old daughter were hacked to death over witchcraft suspicions late last night while they were sleeping outside their home. The deceased have been identified as Urkuli Patra and her daughter Lilima Joba. The two victims did not have any close relatives living nearby, sources said.

The Attack

Due to the intense, ongoing heat wave, the mother and daughter had opted to sleep in the courtyard outside their house. Seizing the opportunity, assailants launched a sudden and vicious assault. The perpetrators allegedly used a heavy motorcycle chain crank (chain sprocket) to relentlessly beat the victims. The severity of the head and bodily injuries resulted in both women dying on the spot.

Suspect Apprehended

While initial reports pointed toward an attack by a group of youths, a neighbour was later suspected as the prime accused. He has been identified as Ajay Pradhan, whose house shares a boundary wall with the victims’ residence. “Pradhan had himself informed the police about the incident and during investigation, police suspected that he was the accused,” Sambalpur Additional Superintendent of Police Ajay Kumar Mishra told reporters.

The murder weapon was recovered from near the bodies, he added.

Police suspect that the killings stemmed from the accused’s belief that the victims were practising witchcraft.

A forensic scientific team is currently at the spot, thoroughly combing the area to collect crucial evidence. The bodies have been sent for postmortem as police look to build a foolproof case against the perpetrator. Further details are awaited as the investigation progresses.