Bhubaneswar man strangles wife, attempts suicide after tracing her hideout
Synopsis
A woman who had moved to a secret rental address in Bhubaneswar to escape her estranged husband was allegedly tracked down and strangled on Monday. The accused consumed poison after the act and is now hospitalised — with formal arrest pending his discharge, police said.
Key Takeaways
Monika Jena , 26 , was allegedly murdered by her estranged husband Deepak Kumar Jena in Chakeisiani, Bhubaneswar on 27 July .
The couple had been living separately for two years amid domestic violence cases registered at multiple police stations.
Monika had shifted to a new rental address 15 days ago to avoid being traced by the accused.
Deepak allegedly strangled her with a towel and slashed her wrist before consuming poison.
He was traced via his mobile phone, found near the scene, and is currently under treatment at Hi-Tech Hospital ; arrest will follow discharge.
A 26-year-old woman, Monika Jena, was allegedly murdered by her estranged husband Deepak Kumar Jena at a rented accommodation in Chakeisiani under Mancheswar police limits in Bhubaneswar on Monday, 27 July. The accused reportedly strangled her with a towel and slashed her wrist before consuming poison in an apparent attempt to end his own life.
Background and Marital History
Monika Jena, a native of Baunsapada village under Itamati Police Station in Nayagarh district, had married Deepak Kumar Jena of Ranpur in the same district in 2019. The couple has a six-year-old child. According to police, the marriage was marked by frequent disputes, and the two had been living separately for the past two years, with cases registered at multiple police stations over domestic violence and related charges.
How the Attack Unfolded
Deepak, who had been working in Chennai and other locations outside Odisha, had reportedly returned to the state recently and allegedly taken away their son approximately two months ago. Fearing further trouble, Monika, along with her mother and elder sister, shifted to a rental home in Chakeisiani about 15 days ago to avoid being tracked by the accused.
Citing the statement of Monika's elder sister, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Zone-V) Biswaranjan Senapati said Deepak had been actively searching for her and eventually traced the address. On Monday afternoon, when Monika was alone at home, the accused allegedly entered the premises and attacked her.
What Police Found
According to the Commissionerate Police, Deepak allegedly murdered Monika by throttling her with a towel and subsequently slashed the veins of her left wrist. Her mother and sister returned home to find her dead and immediately alerted the police, who reached the scene without delay.
The accused was subsequently traced through his mobile phone and apprehended from a nearby location. A pouch containing poison was recovered from his possession, and he admitted to having consumed it.
Accused Under Treatment, Arrest Pending
'After committing the murder, the husband consumed poison. He was immediately taken to Hi-Tech Hospital. He is undergoing treatment, and after his release, he will be arrested and forwarded to court,' the Commissionerate Police said in a statement.
ACP Senapati confirmed that prior domestic violence cases had been registered against the accused at different police stations, underscoring a pattern of conflict that preceded the fatal incident. As the accused remains hospitalised, formal legal proceedings are expected to follow upon his discharge.
Point of View
Registered complaints, and relocated to an undisclosed address. None of it was enough. The fact that the accused traced her through persistence and that prior cases at multiple police stations did not result in preventive action raises hard questions about how seriously courts and police treat escalating domestic violence warnings. The pattern here — separation, child custody conflict, relocation, and ultimately fatal tracking — is one that repeats with disturbing regularity in spousal homicide cases across India.
NationPress
28 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Monika Jena and what happened to her?
Monika Jena was a 26-year-old woman from Nayagarh district, Odisha, who was allegedly murdered by her estranged husband Deepak Kumar Jena at her rented home in Chakeisiani, Bhubaneswar, on 27 July. Police say she was strangled with a towel and her wrist was slashed.
Why had Monika Jena moved to a new address in Bhubaneswar?
Monika, along with her mother and elder sister, had shifted to a rental accommodation in Chakeisiani approximately 15 days before the incident specifically to avoid being tracked by her estranged husband, according to police. The couple had been living separately for two years amid domestic disputes.
What action has police taken against the accused Deepak Kumar Jena?
Deepak Kumar Jena was traced through his mobile phone and apprehended near the crime scene. A pouch of poison was recovered from him, and he admitted to consuming it. He is currently undergoing treatment at Hi-Tech Hospital in Bhubaneswar and will be formally arrested and produced before a court upon his discharge.
Were there prior complaints of domestic violence in this case?
Yes. According to Assistant Commissioner of Police Biswaranjan Senapati, cases related to domestic violence and other charges had been registered against the accused at different police stations prior to the incident. The couple had been living separately for two years due to frequent marital disputes.
What is the current status of the couple's child?
The couple has a six-year-old child. According to police, Deepak had allegedly taken away the child approximately two months before the incident, after returning to Odisha from Chennai where he had been working.
