On February 23, 2018, the quiet town of Odisha, India, was rocked by a tragic explosion that claimed the lives of two individuals and left one survivor fighting for her life.

This horrifying incident unfolded in the home of a newlywed couple, Suma Seekar Sahu and Remma Sahu, just days after their wedding celebrations.

What initially appeared to be a gas cylinder explosion quickly revealed itself to be a carefully planned act of violence, orchestrated by a man consumed by jealousy and resentment.

Suma, a 26-year-old software engineer, had recently married Remma, a 22-year-old aspiring translator.

Their wedding was a culmination of months of careful planning, traditional rituals, and family gatherings.

The couple had spent the days following their wedding in Suma’s family home, surrounded by relatives and the warmth of familial love.

However, the tranquility of their new life was shattered when a package arrived at their doorstep—one that would bring unimaginable horror.

 

On that fateful day, as Suma and Remma chatted in their home, a delivery driver arrived with a medium-sized parcel.

The package was addressed to them but bore a sender’s name that raised eyebrows.

Despite not recognizing the name, Suma signed for the package and brought it inside, unaware that it contained a deadly explosive device disguised as a wedding gift.

When Suma attempted to open the box, a detonator was triggered, resulting in a catastrophic explosion that engulfed the home in flames and smoke.

 

In the immediate aftermath, chaos ensued. Neighbors rushed to the scene, believing it to be a gas explosion. Inside the house, Suma lay severely injured, his body covered in burns.

Remma, also injured, struggled to crawl through the debris in search of air. Their great grandmother, Geneammani, suffered the worst injuries, with over 90% of her body burned.

As the community reacted to the explosion, emergency services were called, and the victims were rushed to the hospital.

Despite the efforts of medical staff, Geneammani succumbed to her injuries shortly after arrival.

Suma, with catastrophic burns and internal damage, was pronounced dead a few hours later. Remma was placed in a medically induced coma to aid her recovery.

The tragedy left a profound impact on the families involved, as they grappled with the loss of two loved ones and the fight for Remma’s life.

 

As the investigation into the explosion unfolded, it became clear that this was no random act of violence.

The police began delving into the lives of the victims, uncovering a web of jealousy and resentment that led to this horrific event.

One of the key figures in the investigation was Punjalal Meher, a former professor who had lost his position as director of a college after being replaced by Suma’s mother, Sanjakuta.

This personal defeat had festered into an obsession that ultimately led him to orchestrate the attack.

 

Detectives uncovered a threatening phone call made to Suma nearly a year before the wedding, warning him not to marry Remma.

Although initially dismissed as a prank, this call became a crucial piece of evidence as investigators connected it to Punjalal.

The police began focusing on him as a potential suspect, especially after receiving an anonymous letter that hinted at a larger plan behind the explosion.

The anonymous letter, written in polished English, claimed that the explosion was the result of a “project” involving three individuals.

The use of the term “project” raised suspicions among investigators, as it suggested a level of education and sophistication unusual for the local population.

The letter contained details about the package that had not been made public, indicating that the author had insider knowledge of the investigation.

 

Upon sharing the letter with Suma’s mother, Sanjakuta recognized the writing style as similar to that of Punjalal.

This revelation shifted the investigation’s focus, leading detectives to scrutinize his life, connections, and communications.

They discovered a series of incriminating pieces of evidence, including a deleted draft of the anonymous letter found on Punjalal’s laptop and a postal receipt linking him to the delivery of the explosive package.

 

As investigators dug deeper, they uncovered a trove of evidence that painted a clear picture of Punjalal’s involvement in the crime.

Forensic analysis revealed that he had been researching how to construct explosive devices and had experimented with pyrotechnic materials.

His journals contained writings expressing deep resentment towards Sanjakuta, revealing a motive rooted in jealousy and a desire for retribution.

The investigation also revealed that the package had originally been intended for delivery during the wedding reception but was postponed due to safety concerns.

This delay ultimately redirected the tragedy from a crowded venue to the couple’s home, where only a few people were present at the time of the explosion.

 

After gathering sufficient evidence, police arrested Punjalal Meher.

During interrogation, he attempted to construct a defense based on claims of coercion, insisting that he had been forced to write the anonymous letter under threat.

However, the evidence contradicted his story, revealing a calculated and premeditated plan to carry out the attack.

 

In January 2019, while awaiting trial, Punjalal attempted to escape custody, further solidifying his reputation as a dangerous individual.

His trial began in May 2025, with a substantial amount of evidence presented against him, including witness testimonies, physical evidence, and digital footprints linking him to the crime.

 

The judge ultimately sentenced Punjalal to life in prison, highlighting the destructive nature of his jealousy and the devastating impact it had on innocent lives.

The ruling brought some closure to Suma’s family, though they understood that no sentence could ever replace the loss of their son.

Remma, the lone survivor of the explosion, faced a long and difficult recovery.

After spending six years living with Suma’s parents, she eventually remarried and moved abroad, seeking to rebuild her life far from the tragedy that had defined her past.

Her journey symbolizes resilience and the ability to find hope amidst darkness.

 

The tragic story of Suma and Remma serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of jealousy and the lengths to which individuals may go when consumed by rage.

It highlights the importance of addressing mental health issues and fostering open communication in communities.

As the investigation revealed, the roots of violence can often be traced back to unresolved conflicts and personal grievances.

 

In the end, while justice was served for Suma and Geneammani, the scars of that fateful day will remain with Remma and their families forever.

The community, too, will carry the weight of this tragedy, reminding all of the fragility of life and the need for compassion in the face of adversity.

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