Bhubaneswar: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has suspended Amit Kumar Patnaik, vice president of Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD) in Gajapati district, following his arrest in a murder case.
Amit, a resident of Karanasahi in Paralakhemundi, was suspended for anti-party activities, according to the office order issued by BJD.
According to police, Amit was the alleged mastermind in the murder of 72-year-old Sarojini Patnaik at her residence in Karanasahi, Paralakhamundi, on January 22. Two other suspects have been identified as Pradeep Patnaik from Karanasahi and Dauda Jena from Kashinagar.
The trio allegedly looted cash and gold jewellery from Sarojini’s house and murdered her before fleeing with the valuables. They also put chilli powder at the crime scene to mislead the police investigation.
“In the beginning, we had assumed that the crime was committed by hardened criminal. After a month-long investigation and detailed analysis, we have finally arrested the three,” said Gajapati SP Swati S Kumar.
The SP further said that the accused had pre-planned the robbery but had no intentions to kill the victim. “Since she recognised Amit, he smothered her to death as Dauda held onto her,” she said.
The phone of the deceased, who was the main evidence in the case has been seized. The stolen gold jewellery was later found traced to Srikakulam. “The middleman was not aware of the crime as per the analysis of the call records,” she added.
