Cuttack man arrested for wife's murder linked to extramarital affair
Synopsis
A mason in Cuttack allegedly strangled his 28-year-old wife, stuffed her body in a gunny bag, and buried it near a riverbank — all to conceal a killing reportedly triggered by his own extramarital affair. Police recovered the body after he confessed, and are now hunting a second suspect.
Key Takeaways
Malay Kumar Samal of Bhatimunda village, Cuttack , was arrested for allegedly murdering his wife Banita Sethi , aged 28 .
Samal allegedly strangled Sethi on Wednesday and buried her body near the Mendhakhai River in a gunny bag.
The alleged motive was a dispute over Samal's extramarital relationship with a female friend of the victim.
Sethi's family filed a complaint on Saturday ; Samal allegedly confessed during questioning and the body was exhumed on Sunday, 1 June .
Police have launched a manhunt for the victim's female friend, who is suspected of involvement in the crime.
Cuttack district police have arrested a man for allegedly murdering his 28-year-old wife after a domestic dispute stemming from an extramarital relationship, officials confirmed on Sunday, 1 June. The victim's body was recovered from the bank of the Mendhakhai River after the accused allegedly confessed during questioning.
Who Was Arrested
The accused has been identified as Malay Kumar Samal, a resident of Bhatimunda village under the limits of Tangi police station in Cuttack district, Odisha. Samal worked as a mason in the Balikuda area of Jagatsinghpur district, where he reportedly first came into contact with the victim, Banita Sethi, a couple of years ago.
How the Relationship Developed
According to police, Samal and Sethi's acquaintance gradually grew into a romantic relationship, and the two eventually married at a local temple in Balikuda. The couple lived together in Jagatsinghpur for nearly two years.
Approximately one-and-a-half years ago, Samal brought Sethi to Cuttack, ostensibly to introduce her to his family. However, according to investigators, he instead arranged for the couple to live in a rented house under the jurisdiction of Tangi police station. During this period, Sethi reportedly worked at a private agency in the locality, contributing to the household income.
The Dispute and Alleged Crime
Police say the couple's relationship began to deteriorate after a distant female friend of Sethi came to stay with them. Samal allegedly developed an extramarital relationship with this woman, triggering frequent quarrels between the husband and wife. Investigators suspect these recurring disputes ultimately led to the crime.
According to police, Samal allegedly strangled Sethi to death on Wednesday and subsequently stuffed her body into a gunny bag before burying it near the Mendhakhai River in an apparent attempt to conceal the crime.
Discovery and Arrest
Following a complaint filed by Sethi's family members on Saturday, police detained Samal for questioning. He allegedly confessed to the killing during interrogation. Based on his disclosures, officers exhumed Sethi's body from the riverbank on Sunday.
Police suspect the victim's female friend may also be involved in the crime and have launched a manhunt to trace and arrest her. Samal has since been formally arrested and faces charges of murder.
Investigation Ongoing
Authorities in Cuttack are continuing their investigation and are working to establish the full chain of events. The case underscores a pattern of domestic violence cases in Odisha linked to relationship disputes — a concern that advocacy groups have repeatedly flagged to state authorities. The search for the second suspect remains active.
Point of View
Often buying days before family members raise an alarm. The detail that Samal buried the body near a river rather than flee suggests a calculated, not impulsive, act. What deserves scrutiny is how long the victim's situation — living in a rented house, estranged from Samal's family, financially dependent — went unnoticed by any support network. Systemic gaps in domestic violence early-warning mechanisms in semi-urban Odisha remain largely unaddressed.
NationPress
18 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested in the Cuttack wife murder case?
Malay Kumar Samal , a mason from Bhatimunda village under Tangi police station in Cuttack district, was arrested for allegedly murdering his wife Banita Sethi . He allegedly confessed to the crime during police questioning.
What was the alleged motive behind the murder?
According to police, the alleged motive was a domestic dispute arising from Samal's extramarital relationship with a female friend of the victim. Frequent quarrels between the couple over the issue reportedly escalated until the alleged crime.
How was the body discovered?
Sethi's family filed a complaint on Saturday. Police detained Samal, who allegedly confessed and led investigators to the burial site near the Mendhakhai River in Cuttack. The body was exhumed on Sunday, 1 June 2025 .
Is anyone else suspected in the case?
Yes. Police suspect the involvement of the victim's female friend — the same woman with whom Samal allegedly had an extramarital relationship — and have launched a manhunt to trace and arrest her.
Where did the incident take place?
The alleged murder took place at a rented house under the jurisdiction of Tangi police station in Cuttack district, Odisha . The body was buried near the bank of the Mendhakhai River .
