Bhadrak: A five-month pregnant woman died after bring allegedly assaulted by her husband following a domestic altercation in Bhadrak district, police said on Sunday. The deceased, identified as Monalisa Jena, had been married to Sankarshan Jena for five years. The couple has a three-year-old daughter. The incident took place at Talpada village within Tihidi police station limits on Saturday night.

According to police, a heated argument over a family matter escalated into violence. Sankarshan, reportedly under the influence of alcohol at the time, allegedly kicked and assaulted Monalisa during the altercation, police added. Following the attack, Monalisa collapsed and cried out for help before losing consciousness. She was rushed to Tihidi hospital and later referred to Bhadrak District Headquarters Hospital (DHH), where doctors declared her dead on arrival.

Monalisa’s family filed a complaint with Tihidi police, accusing her husband of murder. “We have registered a case based on the complaint of Panchanan Jena, the deceased’s father, and took the accused (husband) into custody. Further investigation is underway,” Satyabrata Grahyacharya, IIC of Tihidi police station, said.

Police sent the body for post-mortem examination to ascertain the cause of death, he added.