Odisha: Newlywed groom killed, bride critical after 'wedding gift' explodes
In a tragic incident, a newlywed groom was killed and his wife critically injured in Odisha's Balangir district when a 'wedding gift' exploded. They had received the gift at their reception on February 18, NDTV reported. The blast was so powerful that the kitchen where it was opened was "destroyed beyond recognition," police said. The groom was working as a techie in Bengaluru.
Visuals from the explosion site
What happened?
Soumya Ranjan Sahoo of Patnagarh married Reema Sahoo on February 18. Yesterday, they were opening gifts they had received. When they opened the one in question, it exploded, killing Soumya's grandmother on the spot. The groom succumbed to his injuries after being shifted to a Rourkela hospital. Meanwhile, Reema continues to fight for her life. The victims' faces were the worst affected, cops said.
Police probing if groom had enemies in Bengaluru
"The parcel contained a high-grade explosive. We suspect it was covered with gelatin tightly bound with twine," said Patnagarh sub-divisional police officer Seshadeb Bariha. Cops are now trying to find out who gave the package to the couple. They are probing if Soumya had any enemies in Bengaluru, or if "anyone held a grudge against the couple marrying each other."
