Berhampur (Odisha), Oct 13 (PTI) Five more people werearrested yesterday for their alleged involvement in the murderof a contractor at a hotel in Ganjam district ten days ago,taking the total number of accused held in the case to six.
A steel rod used to hit Kuresh Gouda (40), acontractor engaged in construction business, was alsorecovered from them, said sub-divisional police officer (SDPO)of Chikiti, Prakash Chandra Jena.
"Business rivalry led to Gouda's murder," he said,adding some more people are likely to be arrested in the case.
The five accused were identified as Sanjay Panigrahi(37) of Gulunda, Debaraj Sethi (40) of Ambagon, Braja SundaraGouda (36) and Upendra Pradhan (32) of Khariaguda, and UditKumar Dora (32) of Digapahandi, police said.
Another accused, Kesab Kundu (40), who also hailedfrom Khariaguda, was held by the Baidyanathpur police here onWednesday afternoon after a brief exchange of fire.
He sustained bullet injuries in the encounter and wasundergoing treatment at MKCG Medical College and Hospitalhere, Jena said.
At least eight masked men had entered the hotel atDigapahandi in Ganjam district on October 3 and attacked Goudawhile he was eating. He was rushed to a hospital where thedoctors declared him "dead".
The BJP had alleged that the some of those accused inthe case had links with the leaders of the BJD, a charge thatwas denied by the ruling party. PTI COR SKNRMS.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.