Balangir, April 1: In an unprecedented incident, a couple was charred to death in Odisha’s Balangir district on Wednesday.

The Woman identified as Damayanti Barik, ANM of Ramachandrapur Sub-Health Center died at her official residence whereas her spouse Upendra Kalsai succumbed to burn injuries in the hospital, during treatment.

According to report, Damayanti’s half-burnt body was recovered from a government residence in Ramchandrapur village under Deogaon police limits in the morning. At the same time, her husband was rescued from the spot by the locals in a critical condition and rushed to the hospital for resuscitation.

On being informed, Police from the Bandhapada outpost visited the spot and later informed the Deogaon PS in this connection.

During investigation, neighbour’s accounts revealed that the incident is fallout of domestic dispute as the man and his spouse almost indulged in quarrels. It’s why, police suspected that the woman’s husband is the man behind the incident, who charred wife into death following a violent clash with his spouse. However, the deceased’s son refuted such allegations saying that his parents were in a good relationship. Meanwhile, Upendra who was struggling with life in the hospital having critical burn injuries died during treatment.

Based on the hospital’s intimation, the police seized both the bodies and sent them for post mortem examinations.

Investigation so far,is in an immature state, thus it’s difficult to assess whether it’s a pre-planned murder, suicidal bid or related to a mishap. Further investigation is underway to unveil the mystery behind the incident. Efforts are on to examine the male partner’s connivance in the sensitive incident, said police.