Tragedy in Odisha: Block Agriculture Officer Found Dead at Home After Dropping Daughter at School

A 30-year-old Block Agriculture Officer (BAO) was discovered hanging in her rented accommodation in Odisha's Bhadrak district on Wednesday, according to police reports.

The deceased, identified as Niharika Dalai, a native of Randia village under Bhadrak Rural police station, had been working in Basudevpur for approximately two years.

Dalai resided in a rented house at Balinagar village under Basudevpur police jurisdiction with her seven-year-old daughter.

Police officials stated that Dalai had been on leave for several days. On the day of the incident, after dropping her daughter at school, she reportedly went shopping before returning to her residence.

Concerns arose when she stopped responding to phone calls. The milkman, unable to get any response despite repeated attempts and noticing the door locked from inside, alerted the property owner.

When knocking produced no response, the landlord contacted Basudevpur police. A police team led by Bhadrak Sadar SDPO Bichitrananda Sethi arrived at the location.

After forcing entry through the locked door, officers discovered Dalai's body hanging from an apron inside the house.

The woman was married to Satyabrata Padhi, a software engineer based in Bhubaneswar.

Police have initiated an investigation to determine the exact circumstances of her death. The body has been sent for post-mortem examination, and further inquiries are ongoing, according to Lopamudra Nayak, inspector in charge of Basudevpur police station.

The incident has shocked the local community where Dalai was known for her professional service in the agricultural sector.