Villagers outside the victim’s house at Basudevpur in Bhadrak district on Thursday. Telegraph picture

Balasore, April 19: Bhadrak police produced a 56-year-old woman in court today in the case of the murder of her daughter-in-law.

The police took Gurumani Palei into custody following interrogation, while the deceased’s husband Khageswar Palei is absconding.

Sanjukta Palei, 25, of Kaligadi village of Basudevpur was found dead at her in-law’s house early yesterday. Villagers came to know about the incident after they heard the wail of a six-month-old infant, who lay beside the body of his mother. The head of body was smashed.

The deceased’s father, Bansidhar Mohanty, had lodged a complaint with Naikenidihi police against seven persons including the husband, Khageswar, 28, and mother–in-law, alleging dowry torture.

After preliminary investigation, the police registered a case of dowry torture and murder. The body was sent for post-mortem while police launched manhunt for the accused persons.

“We arrested the mother-in-law and produced her in court today. Efforts are on to nab other accused persons including the husband,” said officer in charge of Naikanidihi police station Kaberi Pradhan The deceased’s father, Banshidhar, said his daughter was married to Khageswar about three years ago after they had given dowry. But Khageswar, who is a wage earner, and his family members started torturing the girl for further dowry.

Sub-divisional police officer K. Dangayat said: “It’s a cold-blooded murder.”