Odisha: Was the ex-boyfriend arrested in the self-immolation case?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Accused ex-boyfriend arrested in connection with self-immolation case.
- Investigation reveals evidence of harassment and cyberbullying.
- Importance of mental health awareness highlighted.
- Call Detail Records indicate frequent contact before the incident.
- Post-mortem report pending for further insights.
Bhubaneswar, Aug 10 (NationPress) On Sunday, local authorities apprehended the accused ex-boyfriend linked to the tragic self-immolation of a 20-year-old girl at her home in the Pattamundai region of Odisha's Kendrapara district earlier this week.
Kendrapara Superintendent of Police (SP) Siddharth Kataria informed the press that the arrest was made following a complaint filed by the victim's father on Saturday, leading to the registration of a case at the Pattamundai Rural police station under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act, including Sections 75 (sexual harassment), 78 (stalking), 108 (abetment to suicide), and the IT Act against one Pramod Kumar Behera.
SP Kataria confirmed that police apprehended Pramod Behera on Sunday and confiscated a mobile phone from him. He added that authorities had previously seized the deceased's father's mobile phone.
After an examination by a forensic team, preliminary evidence was discovered, leading to the accused being forwarded to court. Approximately 60 obscene videos were found, and on July 17, the accused sent an obscene video to the victim's father. This video was subsequently shared with four to five other individuals. Analysis of Call Detail Records revealed that the accused had contacted the victim multiple times in the morning of August 6, and sent five to six messages on August 5,” SP Kataria stated.
The Superintendent of Police also mentioned that the post-mortem report and further scientific analysis would determine if the girl’s death was a suicide or if foul play was involved.
Reports indicate that the victim's family was away when she reportedly took her own life by self-immolation on August 6, allegedly due to blackmail from her former boyfriend, Pramod Behera.
The father of the deceased claimed in a statement to the media that his daughter was involved with a young man and faced harassment post-breakup, which led her to take such a drastic step. He accused the former boyfriend of sending obscene images and threats to her.