In a shocking incident in Odisha&rsquo;s Balasore district, a man who travelled nearly 175 kilometres in an attempt to reconcile with his estranged wife ended up attacking her with a knife in full public view. The gruesome act, which took place on Thursday afternoon, was captured on mobile phones by bystanders.
The accused, identified as Sheikh Amjad from Cuttack, had been living separately from his wife due to marital disputes. Hoping to resolve differences, he went to meet her at Pathan Mohalla under Balasore Town police limits around 4:30 PM. What began as a conversation quickly turned into a heated argument.
Witnesses said Amjad suddenly pulled out a knife, grabbed his wife&rsquo;s face and slit her throat by the roadside. Panic spread through the area as onlookers screamed in horror, many recording the attack on their phones instead of intervening. Locals eventually overpowered Amjad, prevented him from fleeing and handed him over to the police.
The injured woman was rushed to Balasore District Headquarters Hospital and later referred to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack after her condition deteriorated. She remains critical.
Police confirmed Amjad&rsquo;s arrest and said an investigation is underway. Officers are probing the sequence of events that led to the attack, including the long-standing domestic disputes between the couple.
The incident has sparked outrage across Odisha, raising questions over public apathy as bystanders chose to record the assault rather than immediately rescue the victim.

Odisha man slits wife’s throat after 175 km trip

Estranged husband’s reconciliation attempt turns violent, wife battles for life in Cuttack

Odisha man slits wife’s throat after 175 km trip

Estranged husband’s reconciliation attempt turns violent, wife battles for life in Cuttack

September 21, 2025 | 14:34 IST