Berhampur, Oct. 7: Police have launched a manhunt to nab a schoolteacher for allegedly kicking his pregnant wife to death.

Family members of the victim Sabita, 22, alleged that Somnath Bisoyi, 27, a resident of Podamari village in Sanakhemundi block, Ganjam, was torturing her for dowry.

“When they got married on May 1 this year, I gave cash, gold ornaments and other household articles worth Rs 80,000. But Somnath was not happy and started mistreating my daughter within 10 days of the marriage,” said Arakhita Jena, the deceased’s father.

Somnath works as a teacher at a private school here. No one except Somnath and Sabita lived in their house. The accused’s parents had expired long ago.

“The situation got out of hand on Friday night when Somnath got irritated and kicked Sabita on her abdomen several times. He fled from the spot after Sabita fell unconscious. I also suspect one of his friends to be involved in the incident,” said Jena. Sabita was into her fourth month of pregnancy.

Though Sabita’s family members rushed her to MKCG Medical College and Hospital here, she lost her battle for life after two days. “She was under treatment in the labour ward, but succumbed to internal injuries,” said a hospital source.

The police handed over her body to the family after post-mortem on Sunday evening.

“We registered a case after Alekh Jena, the uncle of Sabita, lodged an FIR,” said Gyana Ranjan Mishra, inspector in charge of Patapur police station today.