In October last year when the shops were being dismantled, Mittal with his brothers assaulted Sharma. Two cases related to this incident were registered in the local police station. Sharma had since been nursing a grudge against Mittal and hired contract killers – Rajat Biswakarma and three others – Dilip Sharma (58), Rajesh Singh (39), Neel Paul (34) and Aman Prasad (22) – to eliminate him.
He paid Rs 40,000 in advance and promised another Rs 2.50 lakh once the murder was executed.
Two days before the murder on February 9, two thieves known to Biswakarma stole a motorcycle from Brahmani Tarang area. This stolen bike was used by him in the murder. A hammer and a country-made firearm were seized from their possession those arrested on March 11.
Terming it a planned murder, Rourkela SP Mukesh Bhamoo had told the media that the crime involved conspiracy over business interest.
THE MURDER
Two bike-borne miscreants had intercepted Sajjan Mittal near his house at the DAV School Lane on the fateful night soon after he returned from his hotel at Gandhi Road.
They later took him inside the house and hit him on the head with an iron rod before fleeing the spot.
A profusely bleeding Mittal was admitted to Ispat General Hospital (IGH) where he succumbed to his injuries around 3 am while undergoing treatment.