BHUBANESWAR: A 20-year-old youth was allegedly beaten to death by two unidentified miscreants in Kolathia area within Khandagiri police limits late on Sunday night.
The deceased, Krushna Prasad Padhi, was a Plus III student. His father 65-year-old Himansu Padhi and sister Tapasi (25) also sustained serious head injuries after being allegedly assaulted by the miscreants when they were trying to rescue Krushna. They are currently under treatment at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar.
Two suspects have been detained by police. Preliminary investigation suggests the incident may have stemmed from a love triangle.
As per sources, Krushna was staying with his father and sister in an asbestos house on the premises of his uncle Laxmidhar Panda’s property. His father Himansu is a priest and the family had been living there for the last 20 years.
Police received information about the incident at around 2.20 am on the day. Initial investigation revealed two masked miscreants allegedly entered the property of Laxmidhar by scaling the boundary wall. However, it is not yet clear whether they barged into the house of Himansu, threatened the family to open the door or lured them to come outside.
Police said the assailants attacked Krushna with iron rods and then targeted his father and sister when they came to his rescue. On hearing their screams, neighbours alerted the police.
However, by the time the cops reached the spot, the miscreants had fled.
The three injured were rushed to AIIMS where Krushna succumbed during treatment. Himansu and Tapasi sustained severe head injuries and currently undergoing treatment, police said.
Krushna’s cousin Prabhat Panigrahi told mediapersons that they did not have enmity with anyone. Krushna was a student and focused on his own work, he said.
Bhubaneswar DCP Jagmohan Meena visited the spot to take stock of the investigation. A scientific team and a dog squad were also pressed into service.
“The ACP, IIC and other senior police officers are present on the spot and supervising the investigation. Multiple police teams have been formed to crack the case,” said Meena.
He said efforts are being made through technical analysis, including examination of CCTV footage, digital evidence, forensic leads as well as human intelligence to identify and apprehend the accused persons at the earliest.
