Kendrapara, March 2: A 45-year-old man lost his life on Saturday trying to save his wife from being raped.

The murder of Srikant Swain has sent shock waves across the sleepy Mirzapur village under Palasanga gram panchayat. The assailant is absconding.

The accused, Rangadhar Biswal, 40, had sneaked into the victim’s house around Friday midnight and had allegedly attempted to rape Swain’s wife. When the woman raised an alarm, her family members woke up and saw the accused brandishing a sharp weapon.

Swain mustered courage to save his wife and tried to overpower the intruder. He managed to free his wife from Biswal’s clutches. However, the accused inflicted multiple injuries upon Swain and his wife. Swain died at the hospital. His 38-year-old wife, who suffered injuries, is said to be out of danger, police said.

“Biswal has criminal antecedents and several cases are pending against him. We are trying to nab him,” said a police official.

In another incident, a 32-year-old hearing and speech impaired woman was allegedly raped by a 19-year-old youth at Badabaranga in Kendrapara Township.

The accused, Pabitra Bal, had been arrested and was forwarded to judicial custody today.

Police swung into action after the victim had lodged a complaint accusing him of raping her.

The victim was medically examined after a complaint was lodged, said investigating officer of the Kendrapara police station Mahesmita Panda.