A father, who was opposed to his daughter’s relationship, allegedly attacked and killed the lover of his daughter in a fit of rage.

The incident took place in the Kashipur area in Rayagada district on Tuesday night. The father has been identified as 48-year-old Bijoy Majhi.

Inspector-in-charge Kashipur police station Surya Prakash Nayak told The Telegraph: “Majhi had been deeply upset after his daughter Lalita, 23, eloped with a young man Mangal Singh, 25, a fortnight ago. Unable to bear the pain of humiliation by the act of her daughter, he devised a plan to take revenge and teach a lesson to both of them.”

Under the pretext of solemnising the marriage, Majhi invited them to return to her house. Hoping to get the father’s blessings, the daughter returned home.

“Later, Lalita insisted Mangal Singh come to her home and get the blessings of her father. However, both the daughter and father had arguments over the issue. The boy supported her would-be wife.”

Nayak said: “When Mangal Singh reached near her would-be wife’s house on Tuesday evening, Majhi suddenly attacked him with an axe. The young man died instantly on the spot. The daughter sustained grievous injuries. Majhi fled the spot immediately after perpetrating the crime. We will soon nab the accused.”

The injured girl was initially admitted to the local hospital at Kashipur and later shifted to the Rayagada district hospital for further treatment.