Naveen Patnaik urges CM Majhi to act on pregnant woman's killing in Ganjam
Synopsis
A pregnant woman was hacked to death in broad daylight in Ganjam while sitting in protest outside her partner's house — her 3-year-old daughter beside her. The case has drawn sharp political intervention, with Opposition leader Naveen Patnaik demanding CM Majhi's personal action and the Law Minister acknowledging the crime as 'highly unfortunate' while assuring police are on the case.
Key Takeaways
Puja Swain , a pregnant woman, was allegedly killed by her minor brother-in-law on Tuesday at Kharida village , Hinjili block , Ganjam district , Odisha.
She was staging a dharna outside her partner's house after police allegedly took no action on her earlier complaint.
BJD President Naveen Patnaik wrote to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on 6 May 2025 demanding immediate arrest of all accused and rehabilitation of the 3-year-old child.
Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan termed the incident "highly unfortunate" and said police are taking all necessary steps.
The minor brother-in-law of the victim was detained by police immediately after the incident.
Biju Janata Dal (BJD) President and Leader of the Opposition in the Odisha Assembly, Naveen Patnaik, on Wednesday, 6 May wrote to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi demanding swift and strict action against those responsible for the brutal killing of a pregnant woman at Kharida village in Hinjili block of Ganjam district. The victim, identified as Puja Swain, was hacked to death in broad daylight while staging a sit-in protest outside her partner's house, with her 3-year-old daughter present at the scene.
What Happened at Kharida Village
According to police and news reports, Puja Swain of Agasti Nuagaon under Rambha police limits had eloped with Jintu Gauda of Kharida village approximately two years ago. The couple reportedly got married at a temple in Puri district and subsequently had a daughter. Around 15 days ago, Jintu allegedly abandoned Puja and their minor daughter at Berhampur railway station while returning from Puri. Puja filed a complaint with the police against her partner and his family members, but reportedly saw no action taken.
Receiving no relief, she began a dharna outside her in-laws' house in Kharida village. On Tuesday afternoon, Jintu's younger brother — a minor — allegedly attacked Puja with a sharp weapon, killing her in front of her child. The minor brother-in-law was immediately detained by police following the incident.
Patnaik's Letter to the Chief Minister
In his letter, Patnaik stated,
Point of View
Received no action, and was forced to sit in public protest for her own safety. The system failed her at every checkpoint. Patnaik's letter rightly asks why preventive action was not taken when the victim was already visible, vulnerable, and seeking help. The Law Minister's assurance that police are 'doing their job' rings hollow when the victim's death was preceded by a documented, ignored complaint. Odisha's political establishment must answer not just for the crime, but for the silence that preceded it.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was killed in the Ganjam pregnant woman case?
The victim was Puja Swain of Agasti Nuagaon, Ganjam district, a pregnant woman who was allegedly hacked to death by the minor brother of her partner, Jintu Gauda, at Kharida village in Hinjili block on Tuesday. She was sitting in protest outside her in-laws' house when she was attacked, with her 3-year-old daughter present.
Why was Puja Swain staging a protest outside her in-laws' house?
Puja had been abandoned by her partner Jintu Gauda at Berhampur railway station about 15 days before her death. After filing a police complaint that reportedly yielded no action, she staged a dharna outside the family's house seeking justice.
What has Naveen Patnaik demanded from CM Mohan Charan Majhi?
BJD President Naveen Patnaik has urged Chief Minister Majhi to direct police to arrest all accused immediately, provide state care and compensation for the 3-year-old daughter who witnessed the killing, and inquire why preventive action was not taken despite the victim's earlier complaint.
What did Odisha's Law Minister say about the incident?
Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan termed the killing 'highly unfortunate' and stated that police are taking all necessary steps. He assured that the accused will be brought to justice and reiterated the government's commitment to dealing firmly with heinous crimes.
Has anyone been arrested in the Ganjam killing case?
The minor brother-in-law of the victim, who allegedly carried out the attack, was immediately detained by police following the incident on Tuesday afternoon. Further action is reportedly underway.
